Patent ID: 6153031
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: C22C,C22F,H01L

Abstract:
A method of producing a higher order beryllium-nickel-copper alloy consisting essentially of about 0.15 to 0.5% Be, about 0.40 to 1.25% Ni, about 0 to 0.25% Sn and about 0.06 to 1% Zr, Ti or both, the balance being copper, wherein the alloy has been age hardened without substantial overaging and exhibits a stress relaxation resistance after 100 hours at 175.degree. F. of about 86 to 97%, a yield strength of at least 65 ksi, an ultimate tensile strength of about 87 to 135 ksi, and an electrical conductivity of about 50 to 63% IACS, the method comprising final age hardening a previously cold worked alloy at a temperature generally within a range of 750 and 950 .degree. F. for about 1 to 16 hours without substantial overaging, the previously cold worked alloy being obtained by,(i) cast a melt of the ingredients of the alloy,(ii) hot rolling the casting so formed,(iii) cold rolling the casting to a selected ready-to-finish thickness,(iv) final solution annealing the alloy at a temperature generally within a range of 1550 to 1700.degree. F. followed by rapid quenching, and (v) cold working the annealed alloy to generally within a range of 0 and 90% to final thickness.