Abstract: A Cu—Ni—Si-based copper alloy sheet of the invention has excellent mold abrasion resistance and shear workability while maintaining strength and conductivity, in which 1.0 mass % to 4.0 mass % of Ni is contained, 0.2 mass % to 0.9 mass % of Si is contained, the remainder is made up of Cu and inevitable impurities. The number of the Ni—Si precipitate particles having a grain diameter in a range of 20 nm to 80 nm in a surface layer that is as thick as 20% of the entire sheet thickness from the surface is represented by a particles/mm2, and the number of the Ni—Si precipitate particles having a grain diameter in a range of 20 nm to 80 nm in a portion below the surface layer is represented by b particles/mm2, a/b is in a range of 0.5 to 1.5.

Abstract: A Cu—Ni—Si-based copper alloy sheet of the invention has excellent mold abrasion resistance and shear workability while maintaining strength and conductivity, in which 1.0 mass % to 4.0 mass % of Ni is contained, 0.2 mass % to 0.9 mass % of Si is contained, the remainder is made up of Cu and inevitable impurities. The number of the Ni—Si precipitate particles having a grain diameter in a range of 20 nm to 80 nm in a surface layer that is as thick as 20% of the entire sheet thickness from the surface is represented by a particles/mm2, and the number of the Ni—Si precipitate particles having a grain diameter in a range of 20 nm to 80 nm in a portion below the surface layer is represented by b particles/mm2, a/b is in a range of 0.5 to 1.5.

Abstract: A plated material reduces insertion and withdrawal forces when used in a connector. A terminal member for a connector and a connector therewith are also provided. The plated material comprises a substrate 3 made of Cu or a Cu alloy and a metal plating layer 6 formed on the surface of the substrate 3. A soft region 6A spreading in a network-shape and a hard region 6B surrounded by the network of the soft region 6A coexists in the metal plating layer 6. The soft region 6A has a Vickers hardness of 20 to 250, while the hard region 6B has a Vickers hardness of 60 to 700, which is at least 30 higher than that of the soft region 6A. An average size of the network of the soft region 6A is from 5 to 500 ?m.

Abstract: A plated material reduces insertion and withdrawal forces when used in a connector. A terminal member for a connector and a connector therewith are also provided. The plated material comprises a substrate 3 made of Cu or a Cu alloy and a metal plating layer 6 formed on the surface of the substrate 3. A soft region 6A spreading in a network-shape and a hard region 6B surrounded by the network of the soft region 6A coexists in the metal plating layer 6. The soft region 6A has a Vickers hardness of 20 to 250, while the hard region 6B has a Vickers hardness of 60 to 700, which is at least 30 higher than that of the soft region 6A. An average size of the network of the soft region 6A is from 5 to 500 &mgr;m.