Ti-Included Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Copper Alloy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing copper-based oxide dispersion strengthened copper alloys face limitations in achieving improved electrical conductivity, hardness, and strength simultaneously, particularly in high-temperature applications and resistance welding, where maintaining mechanical properties and thermal durability is crucial.
Innovation Solution
The development of a Ti-included oxide dispersion strengthened copper alloy, which incorporates metal oxides such as Ti-doped aluminum oxide, aluminum titanium oxide, and iron titanium oxide, is achieved through internal oxidation, allowing for spheroidization and refinement of oxides within the copper alloy, thereby enhancing particle distribution and reducing average particle size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If internal oxidation is used to form fine dispersion phase, then strength and hardness are improved, but electrical conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different oxide characteristics - using Ti-included oxides with specific size ranges (0.5-5 μm before spheroidization) and controlling oxide distribution to achieve local optimization. The spheroidization process creates uniformly distributed spherical oxide particles that locally minimize conductivity impact while maintaining strength benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling oxide particle size through spheroidization treatment, transforming irregular oxides into spherical shapes with reduced equivalent radius. The Ti content (0.01-0.5 wt%) and oxide size parameters are optimized to balance strength enhancement with electrical conductivity preservation.
2Strength
If oxide size is reduced and distance between oxides is reduced, then strength and hardness are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding Ti elements and forming Ti-included oxides during the initial alloying and casting stages, before final spheroidization treatment. This preliminary oxide formation simplifies subsequent processing compared to introducing oxides at later stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions during spheroidization treatment where Ti-included oxides transform from irregular shapes to spherical forms through controlled heating and soaking. This phase transition mechanism naturally reduces particle size and improves distribution without requiring complex mechanical intervention.
3Loss of time
If powder metallurgy is used for internal oxidation, then heat treatment time is shortened, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the oxidation process from the traditional powder metallurgy sequence by performing internal oxidation during ingot casting and initial heating stages, separate from the powder preparation and sintering steps. This extraction allows conventional powder metallurgy to be used while achieving oxidation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the Ti elements already present in the copper alloy to automatically form Ti-included oxides during standard heating processes. The alloy components serve their own oxidation needs without requiring external oxidation agents or complex controlled atmosphere equipment.
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
This approach results in a copper alloy with improved electrical conductivity, hardness, and strength, making it suitable for high-temperature electrical materials and wear-resistant applications, while also reducing production costs and increasing processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The internal oxidation is a metal strengthening method which forms a fine dispersion phase within the alloy by diffusion of oxygen from the surface of the alloy only to oxidize solute in the alloy.
Implementation Method 2
internal oxidation by using the Ti-included oxide dispersion strengthened copper alloy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a Ti-included oxide dispersion strengthened copper alloy and a method for preparing oxide dispersion copper by an internal oxidation Ti-included copper alloy, which thus allows spheronization and refinement of the oxides, and reduction of distance between the oxides. According to the present invention, there is provided oxide dispersion copper having excellent hardness and tensile strength as well as electrical conductivity by performing spheronization and refinement for Ti-included oxide and thus further reducing the distance between oxides.