Softening-resistant copper alloy and method of forming sheet of the same

Abstract

A softening-resistant copper alloy contains Fe in an Fe content in the range of 0.01 to 4.0% by mass. The copper alloy has a cube orientation density of 50% or below and a mean grain size of 30 μm or below after being annealed at 500° C. for 1 min. A copper alloy sheet forming method of forming a copper alloy sheet comprises, in successive steps: a hot rolling process for hot-rolling a copper alloy sheet of the copper alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, at least two working cycles each of a cold rolling process and an annealing process, and a finish cold rolling process. Reduction ratio for each of the cold rolling processes of the working cycles is in the range of 50 to 80%, and reduction ratio for the finish cold rolling process is in the range of 30 to 85%.

1 . A softening-resistant copper alloy containing Fe, and having a cube orientation density of 50% or below after being annealed at 500° C. for 1 min.  
     
     
         2 . A softening-resistant copper alloy containing Fe, and having a cube orientation density of 50% or below after being annealed at 500° C. for 1 min and a mean grain size of 30 μm or below.  
     
     
         3 . The copper alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the Fe content is in the range of 0.01 to 4.0% by mass.  
     
     
         4 . The copper alloy according to  claim 2 , wherein the Fe content is in the range of 0.01 to 4.0% by mass.  
     
     
         5 . A softening-resistant copper alloy sheet forming method of forming a copper alloy sheet comprising, in successive steps: 
 a hot rolling process for hot-rolling a copper alloy sheet of the copper alloy containing Fe;    at least two working cycles each of a cold rolling process and an annealing process; and    a finish cold rolling process;    wherein reduction ratio for each of the cold rolling processes of the working cycles is in the range of 50 to 80%, and reduction ratio for the finish cold rolling process is in the range of 30 to 85%.