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, 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 component formed from a Cu—Zn—Si alloy, the 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 component 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 component 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 component 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 component 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 component 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 component 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 component 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 component 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 component according to  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of:
 0.1 to 0.1% of silver;   0.1 to 0.1% of aluminum;   0.1 to 0.1% of magnesium;   0.1 to 0.1% of antimony;   0.1 to 0.1% of titanium; and   0.1 to 0.1% of zirconium.   
     
     
         11 . The component 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 component 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 component according to  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of:
 0.1 to 0.3% of cadmium;   0.1 to 0.3% of chromium;   0.1 to 0.3% of selenium;   0.1 to 0.3% of tellurium; and   0.1 to 0.3% of bismuth.   
     
     
         14 . The component according to  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one additional element, in % by weight, selected from the group consisting of:
 0.1 to 0.3% of cadmium;   0.1 to 0.3% of chromium;   0.1 to 0.3% of selenium;   0.1 to 0.3% of tellurium; and   0.1 to 0.3% of bismuth.   
     
     
         15 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is an electrical engineering component. 
     
     
         16 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a sanitary-ware component. 
     
     
         17 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a vessel for transporting or storing liquids or gases. 
     
     
         18 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a torsionally loaded component 1. 
     
     
         19 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a recyclable component. 
     
     
         20 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a drop-forged component. 
     
     
         21 . A semi-finished product, comprising the component of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a strip, sheet, profiled section or plate. 
     
     
         23 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is a wrought, rolled or cast product. 
     
     
         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.