Copper mechanical properties

Dentistry. Most casting alloys meet the composition and properties criteria of specification no. 5 of the American Dental Association (37) which prescribes four types of alloy systems constituted of gold—silver—copper with addition of platinum, palladium, and 2inc. Composition ranges are specified, as are mechanical properties and minimum fusion temperatures. Wrought alloys for plates also may include the same constituents. Similarly, specification no. 7 prescribes nickel and two types of alloys for dental wires with the same alloy constituents (see Dental materials). 

Wrought lead—calcium—tin alloys contain more tin, have higher mechanical strength, exhibit greater stabiUty, and are more creep resistant than the cast alloys. RoUed lead—calcium—tin alloy strip is used to produce automotive battery grids in a continuous process (13). Table 5 Hsts the mechanical properties of roUed lead—calcium—tin alloys, compared with lead—copper and roUed lead—antimony (6 wt %) alloys. 

Lead—copper alloys are specified because of superior mechanical properties, creep resistance, corrosion resistance, and high temperature stabiUty compared to pure lead. The mechanical properties of lead—copper alloys are compared to pure lead, and to lead—antimony and lead—calcium alloys in Tables 4 and 5. 

The process is used for ferrous P/M stmctural parts that have densities of at least 7.4 g/cm and mechanical properties superior than those of parts that have been only compacted and sintered. Depending on the appHcation, the porous matrix may be infiltrated only partially or almost completely. Copper-base alloy infiltrants have been developed to minimise erosion of the iron matrix. 

Nickel—Copper. In the soHd state, nickel and copper form a continuous soHd solution. The nickel-rich, nickel—copper alloys are characterized by a good compromise of strength and ductihty and are resistant to corrosion and stress corrosion ia many environments, ia particular water and seawater, nonoxidizing acids, neutral and alkaline salts, and alkaUes. These alloys are weldable and are characterized by elevated and high temperature mechanical properties for certain appHcations. The copper content ia these alloys also easure improved thermal coaductivity for heat exchange. MONEL alloy 400 is a typical nickel-rich, nickel—copper alloy ia which the nickel content is ca 66 wt %. MONEL alloy K-500 is essentially alloy 400 with small additions of aluminum and titanium. Aging of alloy K-500 results in very fine y -precipitates and increased strength (see also Copper alloys). 

Copper and nickel can be alloyed with zinc to form nickel silvers. Nickel silvers are ductile, easily formed and machined, have good corrosion resistance, can be worked to provide a range of mechanical properties, and have an attractive white color. These alloys are used for ornamental purposes, as sHverplated and uncoated tableware and flatware in the electrical iadustry as contacts, connections, and springs and as many formed and machined parts (see Electrical connectors). 

The physical and mechanical properties of steel depend on its microstmcture, that is, the nature, distribution, and amounts of its metaHographic constituents as distinct from its chemical composition. The amount and distribution of iron and iron carbide determine most of the properties, although most plain carbon steels also contain manganese, siUcon, phosphoms, sulfur, oxygen, and traces of nitrogen, hydrogen, and other chemical elements such as aluminum and copper. These elements may modify, to a certain extent, the main effects of iron and iron carbide, but the influence of iron carbide always predominates. This is tme even of medium alloy steels, which may contain considerable amounts of nickel, chromium, and molybdenum. 

Wood preservatives ate appHed either from an oil system, such as creosote, petroleum solutions of pentachlorophenol, or copper naphthanate, or a water system. Oil treatments ate relatively inert with wood material, and thus, have Htde effect on mechanical properties. However, most oil treatments require simultaneous thermal treatments, which ate specifically limited in treating standards to preclude strength losses (24). 

Additions of cadmium (0.05—1.3%) to copper raise the recrystallization temperature and improve the mechanical properties, especially in cold-worked conditions, with relatively Htde reduction in conductivity. Copper containing 0.07% cadmium is used in automotive cooling fins, heavy-duty radiators, motor commutators, and electric terminals. 

Copper. The physical properties of pure copper are given in Table 11. The mechanical properties of pure copper are essentially the same as those for ClOl and CllO. The coppers represent a series of alloys ranging from the commercially pure copper, ClOl, to the dispersion hardened alloy C157. The difference within this series is the specification of small additions of phosphoms, arsenic, cadmium, tellurium, sulfur, zirconium, as well as oxygen. To be classified as one of the coppers, the alloy must contain at least 99.3% copper. 

Effect of Various Alloying Elements. The mechanical properties of cast copper alloys are a function of alloying elements and their concentrations. The specific effects of a number of these alloying elements are given in the following sections. 

In case of copper also, the end lemperalurc is considered at I8.S C only. Although ihis metal can susiain much higher lemperature than this, without any adverse change in its mechanical properties, merely as a consideration to Table 32.3, and to safeguard other components, insulations and welded parts etc., used in the same circuit. 

As you can see from the tables in Chapter 1, few metals are used in their pure state -they nearly always have other elements added to them which turn them into alloys and give them better mechanical properties. The alloying elements will always dissolve in the basic metal to form solid solutions, although the solubility can vary between <0.01% and 100% depending on the combinations of elements we choose. As examples, the iron in a carbon steel can only dissolve 0.007% carbon at room temperature the copper in brass can dissolve more than 30% zinc and the copper-nickel system - the basis of the monels and the cupronickels - has complete solid solubility. 

The outstanding properties of copper-base materials are high electrical and thermal conductivity, good durabihty in mildly corrosive chemical environments and excellent ductility for forming complex shapes. As a relatively weak material, copper is often alloyed with zinc (brasses), tin (bronzes), aluminum and nickel to improve its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. 

The approximate tensile strength is 14 ton/in7 at ordinary temperatures, and its strength decreases with increasing temperature. Typical mechanical properties of copper as a function of temperature are given in Table 3.16. 

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