C17300 copper wire production process

The production process of C17300 copper wire combines the characteristics of beryllium copper alloy with precision machining technology. The main process includes the following key stages:

1. Raw material ratio and smelting

Ingredients: Copper as the matrix (accounting for about 97.8%-99.5%), beryllium (1.8%-2.1%), cobalt (0.2%-0.6%), lead (0.2%-0.6%) and other trace elements (such as nickel, iron, etc.) are added. The addition of lead can improve cutting performance.

Smelting: Melting in vacuum or protective atmosphere to ensure uniform alloy composition and avoid oxidation. The smelting temperature must be controlled below the volatilization temperature of beryllium (870-980℃).

2. Casting and molding

Horizontal continuous casting: The molten metal is formed into ingots or wire billets through a horizontal continuous casting machine to ensure dense organization.

Hot working: The ingot is initially formed into a rod or wire by hot rolling or hot extrusion (temperature of about 800℃), eliminating casting defects and refining grains.

3. Cold working and annealing

Drawing: The wire is gradually refined to the target diameter (such as Ф0.06-4.0mm) through multiple cold drawing processes. Cold working significantly improves the strength of the material, but annealing is required to restore toughness.

Annealing process: Intermediate annealing (470-535℃) is used to eliminate work hardening, and rapid cooling (water cooling or wind blowing) after annealing to prevent oxidation.

4. Aging treatment

Precipitation hardening: Aging treatment is carried out at 315-320℃ for 1.5-2 hours, and beryllium is precipitated in a dispersed phase, which significantly improves strength (tensile strength can reach 1380MPa) and hardness (HRC 39-45).

5. Surface treatment and finishing

Pickling and polishing: Remove the surface oxide layer and improve the finish.

Tin plating (optional): Some wires need to be tinned to enhance corrosion resistance and welding performance. The process includes dipping flux, tin liquid coating and cooling.

6. Inspection and packaging

Performance testing: including key indicators such as conductivity (18-50% IACS), tensile strength (540-1380MPa), hardness (HV 140-185).

Finished product roll: cut into specific lengths (such as 2000mm) or rolls according to application requirements.

Product advantages of C17300 copper wire

1. Excellent mechanical properties

High strength and high elasticity: The tensile strength can reach 1380MPa, far exceeding phosphor bronze, aluminum bronze, etc., and is known as the "king of elasticity". The yield strength reaches 1035MPa, which is suitable for high stress environments (such as springs, diaphragms).

Fatigue resistance: Stable performance under repeated loads, suitable for manufacturing dynamic components such as micromotor brushes and relay contacts.

2. Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity

High electrical conductivity: The electrical conductivity is 18-50% IACS (depending on the processing status), supporting high-frequency signal transmission (such as RF connectors, circuit board probes).

High thermal conductivity: 110W/(m·K), suitable for heat dissipation components (such as crystallizer inner sleeves, electrodes).

3. Corrosion resistance and environmental resistance

Seawater corrosion resistance: The annual corrosion rate is only 1.1×10⁻²mm, and it can be used stably in the marine environment for more than 40 years (such as submarine cable repeaters).

Chemical corrosion resistance: The corrosion depth in sulfuric acid (concentration <80%) is extremely low (0.0012mm/year).

Non-magnetic: Suitable for scenes sensitive to magnetic fields such as MRI equipment.

4. Processing performance and versatility

Easy cutting: The lead-containing design extends the tool life and is suitable for automatic lathe processing of complex parts (such as precision bearings, shaft rings).

Welding and formability: Special-shaped parts (such as bellows, mold inserts) can be made through brazing, forging, stamping and other processes.

5. Safety and environmental protection characteristics

Spark-free impact: suitable for flammable and explosive environments (such as petrochemical equipment).

Low environmental impact: waste gas (VOCs) in the production process is treated by catalytic combustion, which meets environmental protection standards.

Application scenarios and industry standards

1. Core application areas

Electronic and electrical: high-frequency connectors, switch contacts, test probes (high conductivity requirements).

Precision instruments: diaphragm boxes, sensor springs, temperature control elements (depending on elasticity and fatigue resistance).

Aerospace: sealing rings, antenna elements (need to resist extreme temperatures and corrosion).

Automotive industry: bearings, bushings (high wear resistance requirements).