Copper embrittlement

Other special additions are used to deoxidize copper. Such alloys may be preferred in appHcations where embrittlement by hydrogen through reaction with internally dispersed copper oxide particles is a concern, such as in CllO. The most common deoxidized copper is C122, in which phosphoms reacts with copper oxide to form phosphoms pentoxide that can be slagged from the copper while molten. 

Many elemental additions to copper for strengthening and other properties also deoxidize the alloy. A side benefit of such additions is elimination of susceptibihty to hydrogen embrittlement. Such deoxidizing additions include beryllium, aluminum, siUcon, chromium, zirconium, and magnesium. 

CllO. The most common commercial purity copper is CllO. The principal difference between CllO and C102 is oxygen content which typically can be up to 0.05% in CllO. Oxygen is present as cuprous oxide particles, which do not significantly affect strength and ductiHty, but CllO is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. The properties of CllO are adequate for most appHcations and this alloy is less cosdy than higher purity copper. 

S tandard Methods of Test for Hydrogen Embrittlement of Copper, ASTM B 577, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa., 1992. Welding Braying and Soldering Vol. 6, Metals Handbook, 9th ed., ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, 1983. 

Aluminum is not embrittled by low temperatures and is not subject to external corrosion when exposed to normal atmospheres. At 200°C (400°F) its strength is less than half that at room temperature. It is attacked by alkahes, by traces of copper, nickel, mercuiy, and other heaw-metal ions, and by prolonged contact with wet insiilation. It suffers from galvanic corrosion when coupled to copper, nickel, or lead-... 

Excessive vibrations according to international codes can cause mechtinieal failure in the insulation by loosening wedges, overhangs, blocks and other supports that hold the stator and the rotor windings or rotor bars in their slots. Vibrations also tend to harden and embrittle copper windings and may eventually break them when they become loose (see also Sections 1 1.4.6 and I 1.4.7). 

One disadvantage of tough pitch coppers is the embrittlement that is liable to occur when they are heated in atmospheres containing hydrogen. For many purposes, therefore, and particularly where fabrication is involved, deoxidised coppers are preferred. The usual deoxidising agent is phosphorus, and specifications require residual phosphorus contents of between... 

Heat-resisting steels have limited uses in contact with molten metals. They are not recommended for use with molten zinc, cadmium, aluminium, antimony or copper, because of excessive attack and embrittlement effects. In brazing and silver soldering, contact between the molten non-ferrous alloy and the steel occurs for only a very limited period of time. 

Where very high temperatures are involved, the presence of copper deposits may cause liquid metal embrittlement. 

Liquid metal embrittlement copper traces are present. Results from copper deposits and high temperature conditions. 

R. Schweinfest, A. T. Paxton, and M. W. Finnis, Bismuth Embrittlement of Copper is an Atomic Size Effect, Nature 432 (2004), 1008. 

Tellurium—copper alloys are recommended for situations demanding a high production rate with no significant sacrifice in conductivity. These alloys can be soldered, brazed, or welded without incurring embrittlement. They are used in vacuum applications, forgings, screw-machine parts, welding-torch tips, transistor bases, semiconductor heat sinks, electrical connectors (qv), motor and switch parts, and nuts, bolts, and studs. Addition of tellurium significantly improves the surface of machined parts. 

Materials of construction for ammonia are dependent on the operating temperature. Whilst mild steel may be used at ambient temperature, special costly steels are required at low temperatures to avoid embrittlement. Impurities in liquid ammonia such as air or carbon dioxide can cause stress corrosion cracking of mild steel. Ammonia is highly corrosive towards copper and zinc. Rubber lined steel construction is suitable for service at ambient temperature. 

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