Patent ID: 8795585

Claim:
A method for making a high strength nanophase copper alloy comprising: co-milling in contact with liquid nitrogen a first mass of a copper powder and a second mass of a second metal powder, the second metal powder comprised of a second metal that is soluble in copper and that forms stable nitrides under said co-milling conditions including said contact with liquid nitrogen to form a co-milled mass of powder comprising said nitrides, said first mass of copper powder being from about 91 wt. % to about 97 wt. %, said co-milled mass of powder being free of Be, said stable nitrides formed during said co-milling in the presence of said liquid nitrogen; degassing said co-milled mass of powder; subjecting the co-milled mass of powder to heat and pressure; and consolidating the co-milled mass into a billet comprising an alloy of copper comprising the second metal that is soluble in copper, said copper alloy comprising nanophase copper alloy grains.