PRECIPITATION HARDENABLE COPPER ALLOY AND PROCESS

摘要

An improved copper base alloy for use in electrical springs and a process of treating the alloy provide improved resistance to stress relaxation when the alloy is in a solution treated and aged condition having a discontinuous precipitate. The alloy consists essentially of from about 10% to about 15% nickel, from about 1% to about 3% aluminum, up to about 1% manganese, from about 0.05% to less than about 0.5% magnesium and the balance copper. The alloy is readily hot workable if held within a critical temperature range of from about 880.degree.C to about 980.degree.C prior to hot working.