Multicomponent Copper Alloy and Its Use

Abstract

The invention relates to a multicomponent copper alloy comprising [in % by weight]: Ni from 1.0 to 15.0%, Sn from 2.0 to 12.0%, Mn from 0.1 to 5.0%, Si from 0.1 to 3.0%, balance Cu and unavoidable impurities, if desired up to 0.5% of P, if desired individually or in combination up to 1.5% of Ti, Co, Cr, Al, Fe, Zn, Sb, if desired individually or in combination up to 0.5% of B, Zr, S, if desired up to 5% of Pb, and having Mn—Ni silicide phases which have a mass ratio of the elements [w(Mn)+w(Ni)]/w(Si) in the range from 1.8/1 to 7/1.

1 . Multicomponent copper alloy consisting of [in % by weight]:
 Ni 1.0 to 15.0%,   Sn 2.0 to 12.0%,   Mn 0.1 to 5.0%,   Si 0.1 to 3.0%,   remainder Cu and unavoidable impurities,   optionally up to 0.5% P,   optionally individually or in combination up to 1.5% Ti, Co, Cr, Al, Fe, Zn, Sb,   optionally individually or in combination up to 0.5% B, Zr, S,   optionally up to 5% Pb,   with Mn—Ni silicide phases, which have a mass ratio of the elements [w(Mn)+w(Ni)]/w(Si) in the range of from 1.8/1 to 7/1.   
   
   
       2 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the mass fraction of the elements satisfies the following relationship: [w(Ni)−w(Mn)−w(Sn)]>0. 
   
   
       3 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the mass fraction of the elements satisfies the following relationship: w(Mn)>w(Si). 
   
   
       4 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the value of the elongation at break A 5  at a temperature of 400° C. is more than 10%. 
   
   
       5 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the crystallite size of the Mn—Ni silicide phases is from 0.1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
       6 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it contains from 0.01 to 0.06% P, finely distributed Ni phosphide phases being formed in the matrix. 
   
   
       7 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the average grain size of the finely distributed Ni phosphide phases is less than 100 nm. 
   
   
       8 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it contains from 0.1 to 2.5% Mn and from 0.1 to 1.5% Si. 
   
   
       9 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 8 , characterized in that it contains from 0.1 to 1.6% Mn and from 0.1 to 0.7% Si. 
   
   
       10 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it has undergone at least one heat treatment at from 300 to 500° C. 
   
   
       11 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it has undergone at least one heat treatment at from 600 to 800° C. 
   
   
       12 . Multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it has undergone a combination of at least one solution anneal at from 600 to 800° C. and at least one age hardening at from 300 to 500° C. 
   
   
       13 . Use of the multicomponent copper alloy according to  claim 1  for friction-bearing elements or jack connectors.