Essex Group, Inc.

Essex International, Inc.

Horace Pops

Amado Cabo

David Michael Pierre

James H Leckie

Daniel R Hennessy

Barry C Johnson

This invention relates to a method for removing an oxide scale from the surface of a hot rolled copper rod in an in-line process. The method comprises the steps of passing the rod through a chamber containing a reducing atmosphere, the chamber being immediately adjacent to the exit end of the rod rolling mill. The rod passes through the hydrogen containing chamber while it is still hot from the rolling operation, and the reducing atmosphere reduces the oxide scale to metallic copper. After passing through the chamber, the rod is cooled in an aqueous bath and then coiled.

Hydrogen cleaning of hot copper rod

Processes for providing an inert gas protective atmosphere during shut down periods of a copper melting shaft furnace are described. Upon shut down of the furnace, liquid nitrogen is introduced into the furnace interior and forms gaseous nitrogen upon vaporization. A two-stage process is employed with the initial introduction of liquid nitrogen at a high rate to flush out all oxygen bearing atmospheres from the furnace, followed by the introduction of liquid nitrogen at a lower rate sufficient to maintain the protective nitrogen atmosphere.

Inert gas purging during shaft furnace shut down

A method for making an integrated circuit package includes the steps of fabricating lead frames from a copper-zinc-silicon beta brass alloy and soldering the leads thereof to semi-conductor chips by use of the shape memory and reverse shape memory characteristic of the alloy. The composition of the lead frame material and the choice and sequence of fabrication steps may be varied.

Method for effecting reverse shape memory phenomena in Cu-Zn-Si brass

An improved ternary brass alloy includes silicon as the additive material and may be fabricated to provide a beta brass or a mixed alpha plus beta brass material. The composition limits of the constituents of the beta brass are fixed by two factors: (1) the M.sub.s or Martensite transformation temperature must be determined, and (2) the brass must be a totally beta phase above 454.degree. C. The composition is betatized, that is, heated at approximately 800.degree. C. and quenched at a fast rate so that the total beta phase is retained in order to provide material having a shape memory effect, a low spring back coefficient and super elastic properties. A continuous betatizing and quenching process may be utilized in the manufacture of strip and sheet products. Alternatively, specific compositions may be cold worked to provide a material having a low spring back coefficient and other improved physical characteristics. The alpha plus beta brass includes 25% to 75% by weight beta phase mixed with alpha phase. The gamma phase is not tolerated. Generally, the same composition limits as the beta brass material are observed through processing and characteristics of the mixed alpha plus beta are distinct. Methods for manufacture of the mixed alpha plus beta phase are disclosed.

Method for fabrication of brass alloy

A probe for measuring the oxygen content in a fluid, particularly a molten metal, by galvanic action. The probe assembly of the invention utilizes the thermal expansive properties of the probe components to increase the physical contact pressure between the solid electrolyte and its reference electrode so as to increase its reliability, ruggedness and lifetime.

Oxygen probe

An improved ternary brass alloy includes silicon as the additive material. The composition limits of the constituents of the brass are fixed by two factors: (1) the M.sub.s or Martensite transformation temperature, and (2) the brass must be a totally beta phase above 454.degree. C. The composition may be betatized, that is, heated at approximately 800.degree. C. and quenched at a fast rate so that the beta phase is retained in order to provide material having a shape memory effect, a low spring back coefficient and super elastic properties. A continuous betatizing and quenching process may be utilized in the manufacture of strip and sheet products. Alternatively, the composition may be hot worked between 600.degree. and 700.degree. C. and then cold worked to provide a material having a low spring back coefficient.

Wrought brass alloy having a low spring back coefficient and shape

An improved ternary brass alloy includes silicon as the additive material. The composition limits of the constituents of the brass are fixed by two factors: (1) the M.sub.s or Martensite transformation temperature, and (2) the brass must be a totally beta phase above 454.degree.C. The composition may be betatized, that is, heated at approximately 800.degree.C. and quenched at a fast rate so that the beta phase is retained in order to provide material having a shape memory effect, a low spring back coefficient and super elastic properties. A continuous betatizing and quenching process may be utilized in the manufacture of strip and sheet products. Alternatively, the composition may be hot worked between 600.degree. and 700.degree.C. and then cold worked to provide mixed alpha plus beta material having a low spring back coefficient.

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Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Horace Pops