Abstract: A copper alloy disclosed in the present description has a basic alloy composition represented by Cu100?(x+y)SnxAly (where 8?x?12 and 8?y?9 are satisfied), in which a main phase is a ?CuSn phase with Al dissolved therein, and the ?CuSn phase undergoes martensitic transformation when heat-treated or worked. A method for producing a copper alloy disclosed in the present description is a casting step of melting and casting a raw material containing Cu, Sn, and Al and having a basic alloy composition represented by Cu100?(x+y)SnxAly (where 8?x?12 and 8?y?9 are satisfied) so as to obtain a cast material, and a homogenization step of homogenizing the cast material in a temperature range of a ?CuSn phase so as to obtain a homogenized material, the method includes at least the casting step.

Abstract: A copper alloy disclosed in the present description has a basic alloy composition represented by Cu100-(x+y)SnxMny (where 8?x?16 and 2?y?10 are satisfied), in which a main phase is a ?CuSn phase with Mn dissolved therein, and the ?CuSn phase undergoes martensitic transformation when heat-treated or worked.

Abstract: A copper alloy disclosed in the present description has a basic alloy composition represented by Cu100-(x+y)SnxMny (where 8?x?16 and 2?y?10 are satisfied), in which a main phase is a ?CuSn phase with Mn dissolved therein, and the ?CuSn phase undergoes martensitic transformation when heat-treated or worked.

Abstract: A copper alloy disclosed in the present description has a basic alloy composition represented by Cu100?(x+y)SnxAly (where 8?x?12 and 8?y?9 are satisfied), in which a main phase is a ?CuSn phase with Al dissolved therein, and the ?CuSn phase undergoes martensitic transformation when heat-treated or worked. A method for producing a copper alloy disclosed in the present description is a casting step of melting and casting a raw material containing Cu, Sn, and Al and having a basic alloy composition represented by Cu100?(x+y)SnxAly (where 8?x?12 and 8?y?9 are satisfied) so as to obtain a cast material, and a homogenization step of homogenizing the cast material in a temperature range of a ?CuSn phase so as to obtain a homogenized material, the method includes at least the casting step.

Abstract: A heat treatment method according to the present invention includes a preliminary-state-generating step of heat-treating an alloy that undergoes multiple-step transformation with temperature by bringing the alloy in contact with a contact-type heating element for 0.01 sec or more and 3.0 sec or less, the contact-type heating element being adjusted to a particular temperature within a preliminary-state-generating temperature region determined on the basis of a first temperature related to a particular first transformation of the alloy and a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, related to a particular second transformation of the alloy so as to generate a preliminary state in the alloy.

Abstract: In the production equipment for a precipitation hardened alloy strip, a solution treatment unit includes a heating chamber provided to heat the material alloy strip having a precipitation hardening alloy composition to a temperature of not lower than a recrystallization temperature but not higher than a melting point, a cooling chamber located adjacent to the heating chamber, and a pair of cooling rolls incorporated in the cooling chamber to hold therebetween and cool down the material alloy strip heated in the heating chamber. This production equipment can quench the material alloy strip to form a solid solution supersaturated with precipitation hardening elements and thereby forming a precipitation hardened alloy strip having a good shape and a favorable surface condition.

Abstract: A heat treatment method according to the present invention includes a preliminary-state-generating step of heat-treating an alloy that undergoes multiple-step transformation with temperature by bringing the alloy in contact with a contact-type heating element for 0.01 sec or more and 3.0 sec or less, the contact-type heating element being adjusted to a particular temperature within a preliminary-state-generating temperature region determined on the basis of a first temperature related to a particular first transformation of the alloy and a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, related to a particular second transformation of the alloy so as to generate a preliminary state in the alloy.

Abstract: In the production equipment for the precipitation hardened alloy strip, a solution treatment unit 20 includes a heating chamber 30 provided to heat material alloy strip 18 having a precipitation hardening alloy composition to a temperature of not lower than a recrystallization temperature but not higher than a melting point, a cooling chamber 40 located adjacent to the heating chamber 30, and a pair of cooling rolls 50 incorporated in the cooling chamber 40 to hold therebetween and cool down the material alloy strip 18 heated in the heating chamber 30. This production equipment can quench a material alloy strip to form a solid solution supersaturated with precipitation hardening elements and thereby give a precipitation hardened alloy strip having a good shape and a favorable surface condition.