Dispersion hardened copper alloys and production process therefore

Abstract

A process for producing a dispersion hardened copper alloy includes admixing to a copper melt from 0.3 to 15 weight % of molybdenum to provide a mixture which is a melt; superheating the mixture to a temperature ranging from about 200.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. above the melting point of coper to provide a superheated melt; and subjecting the superheated melt to very rapid solidification at a cooling rate ranging from 104.degree. to 106.degree. C./sec. The above process produces dipsersion hardened copper alloy comprising copper and from 1 to 15 weight % of molybdenum which is present in the dispersion hardened copper alloy as particles having a diameter of less than 0.1 .mu.m embedded in the copper matrix. Such dispersion hardened copper alloys are useful for providing electrical conductors which are subjected to elevated temperatures, such as for providing spot welding electrodes, particularly for welding of zinc-galvanized sheet metal. Such alloys do not become brittle when heated up to around about 500.degree. C. or even up to around about 800.degree. C.