COPPER ALLOY AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

[PROBLEMS] To provide a copper alloy containing none of elements being environmentally hazardous, such as Be, that excels in various properties, such as electric conductivity, tensile strength, high-temperature strength and workability (ductility and bendability). [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] There is provided a copper alloy comprising mass percents of at least two members selected from among Cr, Ti and Zr and the balance of Cu and impurities and having a crystal structure wherein the total number of inclusions and precipitates of = 5 aspect ratio and = 1 µm particle diameter satisfies the relationship of the formula: logN = 0.4742 + 17.629×exp(-0.1133×X) (1) wherein N represents the total number of precipitates and inclusions per unit area (pieces/mm<SUP>2</SUP>) and X represents the particle size (µm) of precipitates and inclusions. The copper alloy is obtained by sequentially performing smelting, casting, cooling at a cooling rate of = 1°C/s in at least the temperature range from slab temperature immediately after casting to 900°C, solution treatment and/or hot rolling.