MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF HIGH STRENGTH, HIGH CONDUCTIVITY COPPER-NICKEL-SILICON-CHROME FOR MOLD TOOLING

摘要

In the last 10 years, a CuNiSiCr alloy with thermal conductivity in excess of 100 W/m/K and a nominal hardness of 30HRC has been produced and marketed into the plastic injection and blow molding industries. The alloy is comprised of nominally 7% Ni, 2% Si, 1% Cr and a balance of Cu. We have tested wrought versions of this alloy produced by us as well as other manufacturers. We present the hardness, strength, conductivity and fracture resistance, and compare it with that of other high strength copper mold alloys. We also present actual cooling data for polycarbonate lenses molded in a 100 W/m/K copper insert vs. a tool steel insert as an illustration of the utility of high conductivity molds.