Copper-zinc-silicon alloy, products using the alloy and processes for producing the alloy

Abstract

A Cu—Zn—Si alloy includes, in % by weight, 70 to 80% of copper, 1 to 5% of silicon, 0.0001 to 0.5% of boron, up to 0.2% of phosphorus and/or up to 0.2% of arsenic, a remainder of zinc, plus inevitable impurities. Products using the alloy and processes for producing the alloy are also provided. The alloy is distinguished by an improved resistance to oxidation and by uniform mechanical properties.

1 . A Cu—Zn—Si alloy comprising, in % by weight: 
 70 to 80% of copper;    1 to 5% of silicon;    0.0001 to 0.5% of boron;    0 to 0.2% of phosphorus and/or arsenic;    a remainder of zinc; and    inevitable impurities.    
   
   
       2 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the % by weight are: 
 75 to 77% of copper;    2.8 to 4% of silicon;    0.0001 to 0.01% of boron; and    0.03 to 0.1% of phosphorus and/or arsenic.    
   
   
       3 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 0.01 to 2.5% of lead;    0.01 to 2% of tin;    0.01 to 0.3% of iron;    0.01 to 0.3% of cobalt;    0.01 to 0.3% of nickel; and    0.01 to 0.3% of manganese.    
   
   
       4 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 0.01 to 2.5% of lead;    0.01 to 2% of tin;    0.01 to 0.3% of iron;    0.01 to 0.3% of cobalt;    0.01 to 0.3% of nickel; and    0.01 to 0.3% of manganese.    
   
   
       5 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 0.01 to 0.1% of lead;    0.01 to 0.2% of tin;    0.01 to 0.1% of iron;    0.01 to 0.1% of cobalt;    0.01 to 0.1% of nickel; and    0.01 to 0.1% of manganese.    
   
   
       6 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 0.01 to 0.1% of lead;    0.01 to 0.2% of tin;    0.01 to 0.1% of iron;    0.01 to 0.1% of cobalt;    0.01 to 0.1% of nickel; and    0.01 to 0.1% of manganese.    
   
   
       7 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 up to 0.5% of silver;    up to 0.5% of aluminum;    up to 0.5% of magnesium;    up to 0.5% of antimony;    up to 0.5% of titanium; and    up to 0.5% of zirconium.    
   
   
       8 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 up to 0.5% of silver;    up to 0.5% of aluminum;    up to 0.5% of magnesium;    up to 0.5% of antimony;    up to 0.5% of titanium; and    up to 0.5% of zirconium.    
   
   
       9 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 0.01 to 0.1% of silver;    0.01 to 0.1% of aluminum;    0.01 to 0.1% of magnesium;    0.01 to 0.1% of antimony;    0.01 to 0.1% of titanium; and    0.01 to 0.1% of zirconium.    
   
   
       10 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 0.01 to 0.1% of silver;    0.01 to 0.1% of aluminum;    0.01 to 0.1% of magnesium;    0.01 to 0.1% of antimony;    0.01 to 0.1% of titanium; and    0.01 to 0.1% of zirconium.    
   
   
       11 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 up to 0.3% of cadmium;    up to 0.3% of chromium;    up to 0.3% of selenium;    up to 0.3% of tellurium; and    up to 0.3% of bismuth.    
   
   
       12 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 up to 0.3% of cadmium;    up to 0.3% of chromium;    up to 0.3% of selenium;    up to 0.3% of tellurium; and    up to 0.3% of bismuth.    
   
   
       13 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 0.01 to 0.3% of cadmium;    0.01 to 0.3% of chromium;    0.01 to 0.3% of selenium;    0.01 to 0.3% of tellurium; and    0.01 to 0.3% of bismuth.    
   
   
       14 . The Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of: 
 0.01 to 0.3% of cadmium;    0.01 to 0.3% of chromium;    0.01 to 0.3% of selenium;    0.01 to 0.3% of tellurium; and    0.01 to 0.3% of bismuth.    
   
   
       15 . An electrical engineering component, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       16 . A sanitary-ware component, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       17 . A vessel for transporting or storing liquids or gases, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       18 . A torsionally loaded component, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       19 . A recyclable component, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       20 . A drop-forged component, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       21 . A semi-finished product, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       22 . A strip, sheet, profiled section or plate, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       23 . A wrought, rolled or cast product, comprising a Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       24 . An alloy production process, which comprises the following steps: 
 producing the Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1  by conventional continuous casting and hot-rolling at between 600 and 760° C. with subsequent deformation.    
   
   
       25 . The process according to  claim 24 , which further comprises carrying out the subsequent deformation step by cold-rolling.  
   
   
       26 . The process according to  claim 25 , which further comprises further annealing and deformation steps.  
   
   
       27 . An alloy production process, which comprises the following steps: 
 producing the Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 2  by conventional continuous casting and hot-rolling at between 600 and 760° C. with subsequent deformation.    
   
   
       28 . The process according to  claim 27 , which further comprises carrying out the subsequent deformation step by cold-rolling.  
   
   
       29 . The process according to  claim 28 , which further comprises further annealing and deformation steps.  
   
   
       30 . An alloy production process, which comprises the following steps: 
 producing the Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 1  by conventional continuous casting and extrusion at up to 760° C., followed by cooling in air.    
   
   
       31 . The process according to  claim 30 , which further comprises carrying out the conventional continuous casting and extrusion step at between 650 and 680° C.  
   
   
       32 . An alloy production process, which comprises the following steps: 
 producing the Cu—Zn—Si alloy according to  claim 2  by conventional continuous casting and extrusion at up to 760° C., followed by cooling in air.    
   
   
       33 . The process according to  claim 32 , which further comprises carrying out the conventional continuous casting and extrusion step at between 650 and 680° C.