Copper base alloy for springs - contains nickel, aluminium, chromium and silicon, and is suitable for high-temp. use

The alloy contains, by wt., 12-25% nickel, 3.5-4.5% aluminium, 2.1-4.0% chromium, 0.01-1.0% silicon, 0.01-0.05% vanadium, remainder copper. The alloy may also contain 0.01-0.05% cerium, 0.001-0.03% lithium and/or 0.01-1.0% manganese. The material is intended as a replacement for beryllium-copper which has a high strength and low electric resistance, but Be is expensive and toxic, furthermore, beryllium-copper loses its spring properties above 150 degrees C. The alloy is used to make springs, etc. for use up to 300 degrees C. in precision engineering and the radio and electronics industries and provides optimum combination of strength and low electrical resistance.