TOUGHMET ALLOYS TECHNICAL PAPERS

ToughMet 3 and Cu-14Ni-3Al are both high strength copper alloys commonly used in the marine and oil and gas industries, but significant differences are realized when their properties are compared. This Technical Review discusses those differences that make ToughMet an advantageous replacement for the nickel bronze alloy in demanding applications and severe environments.

A series of tensile tests were performed to determine transverse tensile properties of Materion’s ToughMet 3 rod products, 2.5” to 6.0” diameter rods of CX105, AT90, AT110, TS95, TS120U, TS130, and TS160U tempers. Each sample was tested according to ASTM-E8-16a to determine average transverse tensile strength, 0.2% offset yield strength, total % elongation.

Materion conducted rotary fatigue testing (R=-1) on the TS95, TS120U, TS140, and TS 160U tempers of the ToughMet 3 alloy product line. All the tempers were tested locally in air at ambient temperature using an hour glass type coupon with single force loading meeting the guidelines of ISO 1143.

Materion tests the CVN impact strength of its materials in accordance with ASTM E-23 with a Type A specimen.

This paper describes the methods Materion uses in production of our high reliability alloys.

Galling occurs when metals adhere to each other during sliding contact. This is especially important when considering threaded connections that need be assembled rapidly and repetitively as required in drill string applications.

The temperature dependence of the tensile properties for various tempers of ToughMet 3 (C72900), Alloy 25 (C17200) and Alloy 3 (C17510) rod were measured from -195 °C (-320 °F) to 345 °C (650 °F) in accordance with ASTM E21.

Welding provides the highest strength bond when joining ToughMet to itself or to other metals. As with any joining process, properly prepared surfaces, selection of equipment and materials, and sound practice are key to insuring a reliable bond.

Galvanic can occur when two or more dissimilar metals contact each other in an electrolytic environment. This can occur in seawater, chemical processing, or in automotive fasteners and connectors exposed to road salt spray. It is important to understand the relative position of metals on the galvanic series when they will be coupled near an electrolytic solution.

Materion Performance Alloys produces a series of alloys under the name ToughMet. These spinodally hardened copper nickel tin alloys have proven success in thrust bearings, journal/plain/sleeve bearings, and linear sliding bearings. Following are a series of recommendations on recommended clearances, tolerances, interference fits, and machining practices, allowing you to get the most out of your bearing/bushing design.

In a representative test for coefficient of friction, Materion Performance Alloys ToughMet® family of alloys showed a favorable combination of high strength and low friction.

Indention hardness tests are the most common procedures for evaluation of the mechanical properties of copper alloy components. The tests are inexpensive, quick, easily performed and require little test material. Hardness testing is used to monitor processing operations such as cold working, solution annealing, quenching, and age hardening.

Cavitation damage is caused by the repeated nucleation, growth and collapse of bubbles against a metal surface in a liquid. Materion Performance Alloys ToughMet® and copper beryllium products are highly resistant to cavitation.

The exceptional galling resistance of ToughMet® 2 and other copper alloys for wear plate applications is explored in this technical paper.

The machining recommendations (turning, milling, drilling, tapping, grinding and sawing) for ToughMet® 3 AT and CX tempers of rod, tube and plate alloys are discussed in this technical brief.

Materion Performance Alloys’ ToughMet® family of copper-nickel-tin alloys is tailor-made for bearing applications. ToughMet possesses a unique combination of mechanical and physical properties that improve bearing performance.

Detailed charts displaying the room temperature properties of copper beryllium and ToughMet alloys after exposure to elevated temperature.

This Technical Brief discusses the spinodal decomposition reaction that provides an exceptional combination of strength, hardness, wear resistance and lubricity to ToughMet® and moldMAX® XL alloys.

This technical brief demonstrates that ToughMet® plain PV limits can be significantly higher than other bearing alloys, including popular cast manganese and aluminum bronzes, particularly at heavy loads.