Copper-Zinc Alloy for a Valve Guide

Abstract

A novel copper-zinc alloy is particularly suited for a valve guide. The copper-zinc alloy is formed of 59 to 73% copper, 3.1 to 8.3% manganese, 2 to 6% aluminum, 0.5 to 2% silicon, 0.2 to 1.2% iron, and the remainder zinc and inevitable impurities.

1 . A valve guide formed of a copper-zinc alloy, the alloy consisting essentially of, in percent by weight:
 59 to 73% copper;   3.1 to 4.0% manganese;   2.1 to 2.5% aluminum;   0.5 to 0.7% silicon;   0.3 to 0.7% iron;   0.7 to 1.0% nickel;   a remainder zinc and impurities, said alloy formed into a valve guide.   
     
     
         2 . The valve guide of copper-zinc alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the alloy consists essentially of:
 59 to 65% copper; and   3.1 to 3.5% manganese.   
     
     
         3 . The valve guide of  claim 1  wherein said alloy formed into a valve guide has a hot tensile strength at 350° C. of at least 200 N/mm 2 . 
     
     
         4 . A valve guide formed of a copper-zinc alloy, the alloy consisting essentially of, in percent by weight:
 65 to 73% copper;   7.6 to 7.9% manganese;   5.0 to 5.5% aluminum;   1.7 to 2.0% silicon;   1.0 to 1.2% iron;   a remainder zinc and impurities, said alloy formed into a valve guide.   
     
     
         5 . The valve guide according to  claim 4  further consisting of 0.6 to 1.0% lead. 
     
     
         6 . The valve guide according to  claim 4  wherein said copper is between 68 to 72%. 
     
     
         7 . The valve guide according to  claim 4  wherein said alloy formed into a valve guide has a hot tensile strength at 350° C. of at least 200 N/mm 2 .