Hardening brass

[Huntress]

I am trying to re-invent the wheel here. I am creating a new Distribution block that will use (4) 40 amp ATC fuses. I was given a Littelfuse block that had tri-furcated fuse connectors that used ATC fuses as an example. Since I was unable to get just the fuse connectors as single units, I was forced to re-create the tri-furcated fuse connectors. The sample pieces that I have are brass with tin coating. I know that these pieces have been harden but I don't know what the spec would be. You can not squeeze the fingers easily on the samples I have. The connection between the fuse connector fingers and the ATC blade is critial and must be a tight fit so that the distribution block does not lose connection or heat up. I did have samples made but they are not hardened nor are they tin plated so that you can squeeze the fingers together or pull them apart. The end use of all of this is for an accessory for car audio and will be exposed to outside heat. I hope I have explained myself well enough for some help.

Thanks for any suggestions.

M.

 

[Metalguy]

Just what we all need-more thumping car noise.

Anyway, you can use either cold-worked brass strip or heat treated berylium copper ($).

 

[funnelguy]

Metalguy, you should be typing in all caps so Huntress can hear you!

 

[Huntress]

I'm not in charge of the noise factor just the ability to make it work. Thanks for the help on the material specs. Yes, our company builds it's repretation around being loud.. have to make a living at something RIGHT!

thanks again... I don't always play it loud...just when I need to feel the bass.

 

[Metalguy]

Actually I do like bass. But not the disco-car thumping kind. Makes me wonder if you work for Cerwin-Vega. I actually bought a used "bass" system that used their stuff. It has a funny name-Sensurround. Was used in a few movies-like Earthquake. Bought it from Universal Studios some years ago. Two folder-horn enclosures (4'X 4'X 20"_, with 18" drivers driven by an amp with 400 watts sine-wave.

I cross-over to it at 50 HZ from a pair of Klipschorns.

If you wanna here it you gotta come over here to Italy!

 

[Huntress]

no don't work for Cerwin-Vega.... work for Rockford Fosgate. I agree on the Disco thumping but Kid Rock and AC/DC do well. Our stuff is in movies like the Fast & Furious 1 & 2.

Thanks for the help with the treatment. I am suggesting to my boss (telling rather) that I am sending the sample out to a lab to tell me exactly what material, plating and reat treatment the sample has had. I am not making a guess on this part.

now I need to make a small enough system for my Harley!

 

[Metalguy]

Hmmm,

Huntress--must be female. But a Harley? Kinda big and heavy-but low enough to not be a big problem. Uh, a Sportster maybe? If I knew you better I'd tell you some of my favorite HD jokes!

Anyway, I'm off to Lyon, France for the weekend. Gotta see how good their food is!

 

[Huntress]

Metalguy,

I was looking into the type of brass to use for my application. A similar product was made using Stainless Steel 301, 1/2 hard. It is rated, per my information, to have a Tensil strength, Yield of 110,000 psi. I was looking into using Cartridge Brass which has a Tensile Strenth of 65000 psi. Can I still temper it to either H08 or H10 ( spring or extra spring)?

and to answer you last question.. female, harley, 883 Hugger lowered all the way and Chromed out to the max.

 

[Metalguy]

You have to keep in mind that cart. brass can only be hardened (strengthened)(from a practical standpoint) by cold-working it. If you need a spring clip made from strip, then of course you'd buy it already in the cold-worked condition you need.

Depending on how long you want these clips to last (and function), you also need to be aware of the corrosion tendencies as they affect the electrical properties (resistance). Low voltage (such as a car's 12V) don't need much corr. at all to interupt the circuit. There are special copper materials made to resist this, but I forget the name of them. A good supplier will know.

Ant pics of you and your bike?

 

[Huntress]

Thanks for the information, it's a great help. I did get a phone number of a local metal business so I can bounce ideas off of them. I have told the supplier of these fuse connectors that the grip on the ATC blades is very critical. I am sure that these part will see some vibrations as well since they will be mounted inside cars.

I'll have to locate a pic of the bike... rode it this weekend. Only problem with the sporty is the gas tank only holds enough to go about 70 miles on one tank. It's the 100th year anniversary edition so I may not be able to get a bigger tank on it.

Thanks again.

 

[TVP]

Olin is a leading producer of copper and stainless steel strip in spring tempers (several tempers that are higher in strength than full hard). I suggest you discuss this application with them:

http://www.olinbrass.com/ssindex.html

 

[Huntress]

Thanks for the tip TVP. What does TVP stand for?

 

[TVP]

My initials...

 

[ornerynorsk]

TVP also stands for textured vegetable protein, which is a main ingredient in frozen burritos, but I'm not sure TVP would like that info to be spread far and wide. LOL. Huntress, have you thought of using spring steel for your fuse clips? Cheaper and wider availability than brass, probably not much harder on tooling than cartridge brass, 'coz the heattreating can be done after stamping ops. Can be gold plated if necessary for conductivity and corrosion resistance. As far as the ongoing musical "discussion", I'm partial to Deep Purple myself, don't need a lot of bass, just raw decibals!!!

 

[Huntress]

WOW.. thanks guys! I have several different types of material for the vendor to quote. Olin Brass actually called me and we discussed some options. As for why not just use spring steel, my boss wants to use brass, oh well. So now it's down to Beryllium Copper 17510 temper HT or HTR, C17200, or UNS C19400. Olin told me that I will need at least a min of 38 Rockwell so I will spec that on the prints. I have been told that China may not be able to get some of the above material so I may be limited there as well. My desk is now covered with spec sheets on Brass and Beryllium Copper. Need a noted book.

Thanks for the great advice ....

As for music... the beat goes on..... Deep Purple, Grank Funk, CSN (no Young), Eagles, CCR and Old Time Rock and Roll.