What Is a Titanium Copper Alloy?
Titanium copper alloy, classified as C1900, is a copper-based alloy with titanium added to improve its properties. This alloy stands out for its excellent ductility, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance. It offers a cost-effective alternative to beryllium copper, possessing similar high-strength characteristics.
Its utility spans various applications, particularly in electronic components, due to its remarkable bend formability, strength, and workability. Occasionally, minute amounts of iron (Fe) and other elements are introduced to enhance its properties further. It is also known by other names, such as copper-titanium alloy and Cu-Ti alloy.
Uses of Titanium Copper Alloy
With its high strength and superior bend formability, titanium copper alloy is especially beneficial for electronic device connectors undergoing complex bending. Its applications include:
- High-strength springs for electronic devices, communication equipment, and measuring instruments.
- Terminals for electronic components, switches, connectors, relays, brushes, jacks.
- Connectors in smartphones and PCs.
- Camera module components, like spring materials for lens support.
- Automobile connectors.
- Battery terminals.
- Materials for vacuum tube components.
Properties of Titanium Copper Alloy
Comparable in hardness and strength to steel, titanium copper alloy also boasts superior high-temperature strength. It maintains its tensile strength up to approximately 300℃, featuring a higher softening temperature relative to other copper alloys. Its fatigue properties and corrosion resistance are on par with those of copper-beryllium alloys, and it is non-magnetic.
Types of Titanium Copper Alloy
Available in various compositions and hardness classifications, such as EH, 1/4H, and SH, based on the treatment temperature and duration. Key types include:
1. C1990
Comprising 2.90-3.50% titanium and the remainder copper, C1990 matches or exceeds the properties of beryllium copper, offering exceptional strength and stress relaxation properties. Variants with enhanced strength, bendability, and conductivity are available without altering the composition.
2. NKT322
This alloy, enhanced with a small addition of Fe to improve strength and bend formability, contains 2.9 to 3.4% titanium, 0.17 to 0.23% iron, and the remainder copper. It is noted for its stress relaxation resistance and ability to maintain contact force at high temperatures.
3. Other
Options include titanium copper alloy with Cu plating for improved corrosion resistance and solderability. Some products are designed to achieve high electrical conductivity, minimizing heat generation and enhancing heat dissipation in electronic components.
Other Information on Titanium Copper Alloy
1. Manufacturing
As an age-hardenable alloy, it undergoes solution annealing and age-hardening processes in non-oxidizing atmospheres or vacuums to avoid oxidation. Cold working after solution treatment enhances mechanical strength, though age hardening reduces cold workability, allowing for limited cold working post-aging.
2. Chemical Composition
The alloy’s titanium content ranges from 1.8% to 3.5%, with copper making up the remainder. Some variants include up to 0.2% iron, offering enhanced strength and bendability, achieving proof stress of 1 GPa or higher.