Low-density iron based alloy for a golf club

Abstract

A low density iron based alloy for making heads of golf clubs, the alloy consisting of essentially 28.0 to 31.5 wt % manganese, 7.8 to 10.0 wt % aluminum, 0.90 to 1.10 wt % carbon and 0.35 to 2.5 wt % titanium, and the balance being iron. Additions of 0.8 to 1.5 wt % silicon and 5.0 to 7.0 wt % chromium are optionally included in the alloy of the invention. Due to the additions of silicon and chromium, the alloy of the invention has an excellent resistance to corrosion. After the alloy has been forged or plastic worked, and then treated under a temperature from 950 degrees Celsius to 1270 degrees Celsius for 1 to 24 hours, an austenitic phase with (Ti, Fe)Cx precipitated in different content rate, the alloy obtains a low density below 6.6 g/cm 3 and distributed within a range of 6.1 to 6.6 g/cm 3 , therefore the alloy with a low density, a high ductility, excellent resistance to corrosion and good finished surface quality is obtained to satisfy requirements of mechanical properties of heads of golf clubs.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A low density iron based alloy for heads of golf clubs, the alloy consisting of essentially by weight 28.0 to 31.5 percent manganese, 7.8 to 10.0 percent aluminum, 0.90 to 1.10 percent carbon, and 0.35 to 2.5 percent titanium, and a balance of the weight of the alloy being iron, the density of the alloy reaching 6.1 to 6.6 g/cm 3 ; and characterized that 
 the alloy of the invention has a surface roughness below 3 μm after having been forged at a temperature within 900 to 1100 degrees Celsius.    
     
     
         2 . The low density iron based alloy for heads of golf clubs as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has added thereto 0.5 to 7.0 weight percent chromium, thereby the resistance to corrosion of the alloy is increased.  
     
     
         3 . The low density iron based alloy for heads of golf clubs as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has added thereto 0.8 to 1.5 weight percent silicon, thereby the ductility of the alloy is increased.