US4213800A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrical conductivity of aluminum alloys through the addition of yttrium
Assignee: Rio Tinto Switzerland AG
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Filing: 1978-06-12
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Granted: 1980-07-22
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Expires: 1998-06-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention utilizes the unique addition of yttrium to aluminum base alloys to either enhance the conductivity of such alloys when compared to commercial conductor grade material or provide equivalent conductivity when utilizing grades of aluminum containing higher normal impurity levels. Various processing procedures can be utilized for this material, depending upon the desired final properties.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Mayo
- 👤 Mathur Raghavan
- 👤 Stanley Shapiro
- 👤 Ronald G. Hardy
- 👤 Duncan G. Block
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:32
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/04; C22C; C22C21/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4998; Y10T29/49988; Y10T29/49991
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An aluminum base conductor wire having an electrical conductivity equivalent to commercial grade aluminum conductor wire consisting essentially of 0.04 to 1.0% by weight iron, 0.02 to 0.2% by weight silicon, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight copper, 0.001 to 0.2% by weight boron, 0.001 to 0.5% by weight yttrium, balance essentially aluminum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
An aluminum base conductor wire having an electrical conductivity equivalent to commercial grade aluminum conductor wire consisting essentially of 0.04 to 1.0% by weight iron, 0.02 to 0.2% by weight silicon, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight copper, 0.001 to 0.2% by weight boron, 0.001 to 0.5% by weight yttrium, balance essentially aluminum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process of forming an aluminum base conductor wire having an electrical conductivity equivalent to commercial grade aluminum conductor wire, said process comprising the steps of: (a) casting an aluminum base alloy consisting essentially of 0.04 to 1.0% by weight iron, 0.02 to 0.2% by weight silicon, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight copper, 0.001 to 0.2% by weight boron, 0.001 to 0.5% by weight yttrium, balance essentially aluminum; (b) hot working said alloy at a temperature above 400° F. up to approximately 950° F.; and (c) cold working said alloy to a size range of 0.002 to 0.375".
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process of forming an aluminum base conductor wire having an electrical conductivity equivalent to commercial grade aluminum conductor wire, said process comprising the steps of: (a) casting an aluminum base alloy consisting essentially of 0.04 to 1.0% by weight iron, 0.02 to 0.2% by weight silicon, 0.1 to 1.0% by weight copper, 0.001 to 0.2% by weight boron, 0.001 to 0.5% by weight yttrium, balance essentially aluminum; (b) hot working said alloy at a temperature above 400° F. up to approximately 950° F.; and (c) cold working said alloy to a size range of 0.002 to 0.375".
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An alloy according to claim 1 wherein said alloy contains up to 0.01% by weight for each of manganese and chromium and up to 0.05% by weight zinc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An alloy according to claim 1 wherein said alloy consists essentially of 0.5 to 1.0% by weight iron, 0.02 to 0.1% by weight silicon, 0.35 to 0.5% by weight copper, 0.001 to 0.2% by weight boron, 0.001 to 0.5% by weight yttrium, balance aluminum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An alloy according to claim 1 exhibiting high electrical conductivity and high strength properties while utilizing commercial purity aluminum, wherein the yttrium addition acts as a scavenging agent to improve the electrical conductivity of the alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said alloy is homogenized at a temperature of from 650° to 950° F. for at least 1/2 hour prior to being hot worked.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said alloy is subjected to annealing at 400° to 600° F. for 1 to 8 hours after being hot worked but before being cold worked.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said alloy is cold worked to a reduction of at least 75% in area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said cold worked alloy is subjected to a final holding step at 250° to 600° F. for from 1 to 8 hours.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said alloy contains up to 0.01% by weight for each of manganese and chromium and up to 0.05% by weight zinc.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3694195A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-22 | 1984-01-21 | 1984-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-22 | 1988-01-21 | 1988-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-22 | 1992-01-21 | 1992-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |