Heat treatment of copper alloy C54400

[dcopps]

I am seeking a standard for the heat treatment of copper alloy C55400 (phosphorus and bronze). I have searched the major standards bodies (including searching for nonferrous heat treatment) and found nothing, but my engineer (I'm the librarian) still feels that something must be out there. We are particularly concerned with stress relief.

Thanks for any help...

-Dale

 

[metengr]

dcopps;
First, you need to provide information or determine the application. What is the end product form - formed tube, pipe, casting, etc?

Once you have identified the application and product form, I would search thru ASTM Standard Specification and find the pertinent standard fro your application. These standards provide guidance as to specific chemistry and, if required, heat treatment.

 

[kenvlach]

The ASTM standards vol. 2.01 (2001 edn.) doesn't list C55400, nor do ASM Handbooks. So, the alloy in OP title is correct: C54400, a free-cutting phosphor bronze.

http://www.MatWeb.com

shows C54400 is available in annealed tempers (OSxxx, where xxx is grain size in microns) and work hardened H tempers:

OSO50 Temper sheet/strip
OSO35 Temper sheet/strip
OSO25 Temper sheet/strip
OSO15 Temper sheet/strip
H02 Temper sheet/strip [1/2 Hard]
H04 Temper sheet/strip
H06 Temper sheet/strip [Extra hard]
H08 Temper sheet/strip
H10 Temper sheet/strip [H10 = Extra spring hard]
H04 Temper 8 mm flat products
H04 Temper 19 mm flat products
H04 Temper 13 mm rod
H04 Temper 25 mm rod

Other tempers include O82, which is work hardened & then annealed to 1/2 hard.

Specifications for C54400 include AMS 4520, ASTM B103 & B139, SAE J463, and federal govt. QQ-B-750.

Stress relief for C54400 is given as 300 C (570 F) for 1 hour for rod form, 275 C (525 F) for parts. From ASM Handbook vol. 4, Heat Treating, 10th Edn. Curiously, the 9th editions (vols. 2 & 4) gave the stress relief temperature as 190 or 200 C (375 or 400 F), also for 1 hour.