Iridium Alloy Probe Pin Wire Rod Grain Refinement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Iridium alloys used for probe pins face challenges in achieving fine wire diameters due to high hardness, difficulty in working at high temperatures, and insufficient mechanical properties under increased inspection speeds and friction loads, which can lead to wire breakage and reduced strength.
Innovation Solution
The addition of trace amounts of zirconium, aluminum, and copper to pure iridium improves workability and high-temperature strength, allowing for the production of ultrafine wires with enhanced hardness and stability, with zirconium as an essential additive element to refine crystal grains and increase recrystallization temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pure iridium is used for probe pin wire rods, then oxidation resistance and electrical properties are improved, but workability and ability to produce fine wires deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating an iridium alloy containing 100-500 ppm zirconium and 10-500 ppm aluminum. This composite approach combines the excellent oxidation resistance and electrical properties of pure iridium with the grain-refining and workability-improving effects of zirconium and aluminum additives, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the concentration ranges of zirconium (100-500 ppm) and aluminum (10-500 ppm) in the iridium alloy. These parameter optimizations enable the material to achieve both good workability for producing fine wires and maintained oxidation resistance, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
2Strength
If pure iridium is used for probe pin wire rods, then hardness is improved, but ability to design fine wires deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by formulating an iridium alloy with zirconium (100-500 ppm) and aluminum (10-500 ppm). The zirconium and aluminum act as grain refiners that enable the production of fine wires, while the iridium base maintains the required hardness, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing trace amounts of zirconium and aluminum specifically to refine crystal grains in the wire rod structure. This localized grain refinement enables fine wire production without compromising the overall hardness of the iridium base material, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of manufacture.
3Productivity
If inspection speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but heat generation and friction loads increase causing strength deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the alloy composition with zirconium (100-500 ppm) and aluminum (10-500 ppm), which raise the recrystallization temperature of the material. This parameter optimization enables the wire rod to maintain strength under increased friction loads and heat generation during high-speed inspection, resolving the contradiction between productivity and strength.
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 resulting iridium alloy enables the production of 0.05-mm to 0.5-mm ultrafine wires with surface hardness exceeding 700 Hv, maintaining stability even after heat treatment, and significantly improves the ability to work at high temperatures and withstand high-density designs and increased inspection speeds.
Implementation Method 1
The addition of trace amounts of these additive elements contributes to refining the crystal grains of an iridium material, thereby increasing workability and high-temperature strength
Implementation Method 2
a wire rod working method characterized by wire drawing under heat by electric current application
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention provides an iridium alloy suitable for a wire rod for probe pins, with zirconium as an additive element contained as an essential element and with aluminum and/or copper further added. In this iridium alloy, the additive concentration of zirconium is 100 to 500 ppm and the total additive concentration of aluminum and copper is 10 to 500 ppm. The present invention will be able to meet such requirements placed on a material for probe pins as that further miniaturization thereof would be demanded in the future and that use environment thereof becomes severe.