Cu-Ti Copper Alloy Processing for Strength-Conductivity Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current copper-titanium (Cu—Ti)-based copper alloys face challenges in simultaneously achieving high yield strength, electrical conductivity, and bending workability, with existing methods either compromising on strength or conductivity, and being costly and environmentally unfriendly due to the use of beryllium or requiring complex and costly production processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving dissolving and casting copper alloys with specific titanium and nickel content, followed by hot-working, multiple cold-working and heat-treating steps, including double aging treatments, to produce fine precipitates that enhance yield strength, electrical conductivity, and bending workability, while controlling impurity levels and grain size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If copper-titanium alloy is used to replace copper-beryllium alloy, then environmental safety is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the titanium content parameter within a specific range (0.5-5.0 wt%) and controls the ratio between titanium and copper to achieve the desired balance between strength and conductivity. By precisely controlling compositional parameters, the alloy achieves high strength without requiring expensive additional alloying elements, thus reducing production cost while maintaining environmental safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite microstructure consisting of copper matrix with precipitated titanium-rich phases. This composite structure at the micro-scale provides both the high strength from the precipitates and the good conductivity from the copper matrix, achieving performance comparable to copper-beryllium alloy without the environmental hazards and at lower cost.
2Strength
If titanium content is increased to improve yield strength, then electrical conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition during aging treatment where titanium atoms precipitate from the copper matrix to form fine intermetallic phases. This phase separation allows the matrix to maintain its high conductivity while the precipitates provide strength reinforcement, effectively decoupling the strength-conductivity trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local variations in composition and structure: the copper matrix maintains high purity and conductivity, while titanium-rich precipitates are localized at specific sites to provide strength. This local differentiation allows different regions to optimize for their respective functions without compromising the other.
3Strength
If multiple elements are added to improve strength, then bending workability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential strengthening mechanism (titanium precipitation) from complex multi-element systems, using primarily copper and titanium with minimal impurities. This simplification removes the harmful effects of multiple alloying elements on ductility while retaining the strength-enhancing precipitation mechanism, thereby improving bending workability.
4Strength
If complex heat treatment process is applied to achieve high strength, then production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple processing steps into an integrated flow: casting with controlled cooling, followed by hot working, then aging treatment. By merging these operations into a coordinated sequence rather than separate independent steps, the process achieves high strength while reducing overall production time and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces copper alloys with yield strength of at least 900 MPa, electrical conductivity of 15% IACS or higher, and improved bending workability in both rolling and perpendicular directions, suitable for automotive and electronic components, without the environmental concerns of beryllium and at reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The copper-titanium (Cu—Ti)-based copper alloy is a spinodal decomposition type alloy. Thus, the strength thereof is improved by the spinodal decomposition of titanium (Ti).
Implementation Method 2
The titanium (Ti) in the copper (Cu) matrix forms an intermetallic compound with the copper. Then, the intermetallic compound precipitates into a second phase in grain boundaries or grains.
Implementation Method 3
the solution treating, double aging treatments and final cold-working
Implementation Method 4
double aging treatments
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a production method of a copper-titanium (Cu—Ti)-based copper alloy material and a copper alloy material produced therefrom. Thus, the copper alloy material has target yield strength, electrical conductivity, and bending workability and thus is applied to automobiles and electric/electronic parts requiring high performance.