Copper-base alloys having resistance to dezincification

Abstract

Copper-base alloys are provided that maintain high hot forgeability and cuttability and low-cost feature and which still are improved in resistance to dezincification. The alloys comprise 57-69% of Cu, 0.3-3% of Sn and 0.02-1.5% of Si, all percentages based on weight, with a Si/Sn value in the range of 0.051, and the balance being Zn and incidental impurities.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dezincification resistant copper-base alloy consisting essentially of 57-69% of Cu, 0.3-3% of Sn, 0.02-1.5% of Si and 0.5-3% of at lest one of Pb and Bi, all percentages based on weight, with a Si/Sn value in the range of 0.05-1, and the balance being Zn and incidental impurities.  
     
     
         2 . A dezincification resistant copper-base alloy consisting essentially of 57-69% of Cu, 0.3-3% of Sn, 0.02-1.5% of Si and 0.5-3% of at least one of Pb and Bi, with a Si/Sn value in the range of 0.05-1, further containing in a total amount of 0.02-0.2% at least one element selected from the group consisting of 0.02-0.2% of P, 0.02-0.2% of Sb and 0.02-0.2% of As, all percentages based on weight, and the balance being Zn and incidental impurities.  
     
     
         3 . A dezincification resistant copper-base alloy consisting essentially of 57-69% of Cu, 0.3-3% of Sn, 0.02-1.5% of Si and 0.5-3% of at least one of Pb and Bi, with a Si/Sn value in the range of 0.05-1, further containing in a total amount of 0.01-2% of at least one element selected from the group consisting of 0.01-0.3% of Fe, 0.01-0.5% of Ni, 0.01-0.5% of Cr, 0.01-0.5% of Be, 0.01-0.3% of Zr, 0.01-0.5% of Ce, 0.01-0.5% of Ag, 0.01-0.3% of Ti, 0.01-0.5% of Mg, 0.01-0.5% of Co, 0.01-0.5% of Te, 0.01-0.5% of Au, 0.01-0.5% of Y, 0.01-0.5% of La, 0.01-0.5% of Cd and 0.01-0.5% of Ca, all percentages based on weight, and the balance being Zn and incidental impurities.  
     
     
         4 . A dezincification resistant copper-base alloy consisting essentially of 57-69% of Cu, 0.3-3% of Sn, 0.02-1.5% of Si and 0.5-3% of at least one of Pb and Bi, with a Si/Sn value in the range of 0.05-1, further containing in a total amount of 0.02-0.2% at least one element selected from the group consisting of 0.02-0.2% of P, 0.02-0.2% of Sb and 0.02-0.2% of As, still further containing in a total amount of 0.01-3% of at least one element selected from the group consisting of 0.01-0.3% of Fe, 0.01-0.5 of Ni, 0.01-0.5% of Cr, 0.01-0.5% of Be, 0.01-0.3% of Zr, 0.01-0.5% of Ce, 0.01-0.5% of Ag, 0.01-0.3% of Ti, 0.01-0.5% of Mg, 0.01-0.5% of Co, 0.01-0.5% of Te, 0.01-0.5% of Au, 0.01-0.5% of Y, 0.01-0.5% of La, 0.01-0.5% of Cd and 0.01-0.5% of Ca, all percentages based on weight, and the balance being Zn and incidental impurities.