Main Coppers and Copper Alloys Suitable for Fine Boring
Fine boring is the making of small holes to precise dimensions and very high surface quality. It is used in a wide range of applications in the automotive and machine tool industries, ranging from high-speed hole-making to precision fine boring. The materials used for fine boring must be able to accommodate high forces, long wear and excellent surface finish, which makes copper and copper alloys the ideal choice for this type of operation.
Copper and copper alloys have many advantages over other materials used for machining and other applications due to their superior wear resistance and strength at higher temperatures. Copper and copper alloys also offer excellent thermal properties, making them ideal for cutting and drilling operations. The alloys used for fine boring are typically high-hardness copper alloys such as copper-beryllium, copper-tungsten, copper-nickel and copper-chromium.
Copper-beryllium alloy is the most commonly used alloy for fine boring. This alloy has a high strength to weight ratio and is extremely strong in terms of its elastic limit. It also offers excellent wear resistance and is ideal for applications that require high hardness and excellent surface finish. It is also highly corrosion-resistant and resistant to oxides, making it suitable for both wet and dry machining applications.
Copper-tungsten is another popular alloy used in fine boring applications. This alloy is highly wear resistant and is primarily used in situations where repeated stresses are present. It is also corrosion-resistant and offers very good machinability and surface finish. Copper-tungsten is an ideal choice for fine boring operations because it is tough and wear-resistant and does not require complicacy operation and large overhang.
Copper-nickel is a widely used alloy for fine boring and other machining operations. This alloy has a high wear resistance, offers excellent workability, and has a high melting point, making it suitable for high-speed operations. Copper-nickel has very good thermal properties, making it suitable for dry machining operations.
Copper-chromium is a copper alloy with high wear resistance and excellent surface finish. This alloy can also be used in operations involving repetitive movements, such as in operations which require high speed rotational velocity or linear velocity. Copper-chromium also offers excellent corrosion resistance and is highly resistant to oxidation.
In conclusion, fine boring operations require materials that can accommodate high stress and have high wear resistance. Copper and copper alloys provide the ideal solution due to their wear resistance, strength at higher temperatures, corrosion resistance and thermal properties. Copper-beryllium, copper-tungsten, copper-nickel and copper-chromium are all popular choices for fine boring operations due to their superior properties.
