Abstract: A lead frame consists of a copper alloy containing 0.1 to 1% by weight of chromium and 0.001 to 0.5% by weight of zirconium and having a precipitate with a grain size of 0.5 to 50 .mu.m distributed therein at a rate of 1,000 to 10,000 grains/mm.sup.2. The lead frame is manufactured by casting a copper alloy containing 0.1 to 1% by weight of chromium and 0.001 to 0.5% by weight of zirconium by continuous casting, and performing rolling, a solution treatment, a cold working, and an age-hardening. The lead frame has an excellent bonding performance with an Au wire, hardness and bending strength, and is inexpensive.

Abstract: An aluminum bearing beta copper alloy that on heating to a first temperature shows a transition from an (alpha+beta)-region, an (alpha+beta+gamma)-region or a (beta+gamma)-region to a beta-region.Its average grain size is less than 200 .mu.m and it contains aluminium bearing precipitates, e.g. Co-Al-precipitates, the average size of which is less than 10 .mu.m and which are insoluble in the alloy below a second temperature that is higher than said first temperature.The fine grain structure guarantees an excellent mechanical and thermomechanical behavior of the alloy, while the aluminium bearing precipitates guarantee that this structure and hence the advantageous behavior of the alloy is maintained as long as the alloy is not heated to said second temperature.

Abstract: A fine-grained shape-memory alloy of the Cu/Zn/Al type, prepared by powder metallurgy, exhibiting the beta-high temperature phase, having dispersed in the matrix dispersoids in the form of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and or TiO.sub.2 particles which limit grain growth, and a process for preparing this alloy using mechanical alloying.