High strength and high toughness alloy with low density and the method of making

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high strength and high toughness alloy with a low density and the method of making thereof. The alloy essentially comprises 15 to 33 wt % of manganese, 6 to 10 wt % of aluminum, 0.6 to 1.2 wt % of carbon, 0.1 to 1.0 wt % of silicon, and the balance of iron. The alloy has excellent properties of a density of 6.6 to 6.9 g/cm 3 , an elongation of 25 to 70%, and a tensile strength of 100 to 190 ksi. In particularly, and the alloy is useful for golf club heads with excellent properties. Further, the use of the alloy reduces pits and defects generated during the electroplating process of the heads. Therefore, the defect rate of the product is remarkably decreased so that the cost is reduced.

1 . A iron-based alloy comprising 15 to 33 wt % of manganese, 6 to 10 wt % of aluminum, 0.6 to 1.2 wt % of carbon, 0.1 to 1.0 wt % of silicon, and the balance of iron. 
   
   
       2 . The alloy according to  claim 1 , which further comprises up to 1.5 wt % of molybdenum. 
   
   
       3 . The alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the alloy has a density of 6.6 to 6.9 g/cm 3 , an elongation of 25 to 70%, and a tensile strength of 100 to 190 ksi. 
   
   
       4 . The alloy according to  claim 1 , which is characterized by remarkably reducing pits generated during the electroplating process. 
   
   
       5 . A method of making an iron-based alloy comprising incorporating 15 to 33 wt % of manganese, 6 to 10 wt % of aluminum, 0.6 to 1.2 wt % of carbon, 0.1 to 1.0 wt % of silicon, and the balance of iron through a melting process. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the alloy further comprises up to 1.5 wt % of molybdenum through a melting process. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the melting process is atmospheric melting. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the alloy has a density of 6.6 to 6.9 g/cm 3 , an elongation of 25 to 70%, and a tensile strength of 100 to 190 ksi. 
   
   
       9 . An alloy for golf club heads comprising 15 to 33 wt % of manganese, 6 to 10 wt % of aluminum, 0.6 to 1.2 wt % of carbon, 0.1 to 1.0 wt % of silicon, and the balance of iron. 
   
   
       10 . The alloy according to  claim 9 , which further comprises up to 1.5 wt % of molybdenum. 
   
   
       11 . The alloy for golf club heads according to  claim 9 , wherein the alloy has a density of 6.6 to 6.9 g/cm 3 , an elongation of 25 to 70%, and a tensile strength of 100 to 190 ksi. 
   
   
       12 . The alloy according to  claim 9 , which is characterized by remarkably reducing pits generated during the electroplating process of the golf club heads. 
   
   
       13 . A method of making an alloy for manufacturing golf club heads comprising 15 to 33 wt % of manganese, 6 to 10 wt % of aluminum, 0.6 to 1.2 wt % of carbon, 0.1 to 1.0 wt % of silicon, and the balance of iron through a melting process. 
   
   
       14 . The method of making an alloy for golf club heads according to  claim 13 , wherein the alloy further comprises up to 1.5 wt % of molybdenum through a melting process. 
   
   
       15 . The method of making an alloy for golf club heads according to  claim 13 , wherein the melting process is atmospheric melting. 
   
   
       16 . The method of making an alloy for golf club heads according to  claim 13 , wherein the alloy has a density of 6.6 to 6.9 g/cm 3 , an elongation of 25 to 70%, and a tensile strength of 100 to 190 ksi. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the melting process is vacuum melting. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the melting process is reduction melting. 
   
   
       19 . The method of making an alloy for golf club heads according to  claim 13 , wherein the melting process is vacuum melting. 
   
   
       20 . The method of making an alloy for golf club heads according to  claim 13 , wherein the melting process is reduction melting.