Brush Wellman, Inc.

Materion Gmbh

Edward B Longenberger

Christopher W Damschroder

Jeffrey A Mcbride

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention is the metamorphic processing of a beryllium-copper alloy. The alloy is (i) thermodynamically treated for greater than about 10 hours at a temperature generally within a range of 900&deg; to 1500&deg; F., (ii) warm worked at greater than about 30% strain at a strain rate {acute over (&egr;)} greater than or equal to about (2.210&times;10,)/exp&lsqb;(2.873&times;10,)/(T&plus;459.4&deg;)&rsqb;, where T is in &deg; F., at the temperature, (iii) annealed at a temperature between 1375&deg; and 1500&deg; F. for about 15 minutes to about 3 hours, (iv) water quenched, and (v) thermal hardened at a temperature generally within a range of about 480&deg; and 660&deg; F. Grain size is reduced with concomitant improvements in ultimate strength, toughness, total elongation, % reduction in area and ultrasonic inspectability.

Metamorphic processing of alloys and products thereof

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention is the metamorphic processing of a beryllium-copper alloy. The alloy is (i) thermodynamically treated for greater than about 10 hours at a temperature generally within a range of 900.degree. to 1500.degree. F., (ii) warm worked at greater than about 30% strain at a strain rate greater than or equal to about (2.210.times.10.sup.7)/exp[(2.873.times.10.sup.4)/(T+459.4.degree.)], where T is in .degree. F., at the temperature, (iii) annealed at a temperature between 1375.degree. and 1500.degree. F. for about 15 minutes to about 3 hours, (iv) water quenched, and (v) thermal hardened at a temperature generally within a range of about 480.degree. and 660.degree. F. Grain size is reduced with concomitant improvements in ultimate strength, toughness, total elongation, % reduction in area and ultrasonic inspectability.

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Perrysburg, OH, United States of America

Edward B Longenberger