Other Naturally Hard Copper Alloys

5.1.5.1 Copper-Nickel Alloys

Copper and nickel are in their solid and liquid phase completely soluble in each other (Fig. 5.21). Because of their very low electrical conductivity they are mainly used as resistance alloys (Fig. 5.22). The work hardening and softening behavior of CuNi alloys and CuNi9Sn2 are shown in Figs. 5.23 – 5.27. Coppernickel alloys exhibit high corrosion resistance, good weldabilty, and the suitability for cladding to other materials. Because of these and their other properties (Tables 5.15 and 5.16) they are, with and without additives of iron or manganese, widely used as good weldable backing layers on weld buttons and weld profiles (weld tapes).

5.1.5.2 Copper-Nickel-Tin Alloys

Copper-Nickel- multi component alloys with 9 wt% Ni and 2 wt% Sn are used mainly as connector materials because of their suitable mechanical properties, their excellent relaxation behavior, and their high corrosion resistance. Other advantages include their high temperature stability and the good solderability even after longer storage. They are also used as base materials for clad profiles and tapes.

Fig. 5.21: Phase diagram of copper-nickel for the range of 0 – 50 wt% nickel

Phase diagram of copper-nickel for the range of 0 – 50 wt% nickel

Fig. 5.22: Electrical conductivity of copper-nickel alloys as a function of nickel content

Electrical conductivity of copper-nickel alloys as a function of nickel content

Table 5.15: Physical Properties of Selected Copper-Nickel Alloys

2 Teile!

Table 5.16: Mechanical Properties of Selected Copper-Nickel Alloys

2 Teile!

Fig. 5.23: Strain hardening of copper-nickel alloys as a function of nickel content

Strain hardening of copper-nickel alloys as a function of nickel content

Fig. 5.24: Strain hardening of CuNi25 by cold working

Strain hardening of CuNi25 by cold working

Fig. 5.25: Softening of CuNi25 after 1 hr annealing after 50% cold working

Fig. 5.26: Strain hardening of CuNi9Sn2 by cold working (Wieland)

Fig. 5.27: Softening of CuNi9Sn2 after 1 hr annealing after 60% cold working (Wieland)

References

References