WCA November 2016

Industry news

Exploring the future with copper magnesium

electrical conductivity; excellent formability at medium strength; and with the right composition very high strengths can be achieved. These characteristics are important when further developing the end products where CuMg is used – such as automotive, electrical and electronic connectors, conductor and connector wires, wire harnesses, pins, telecommunication cables, catenary cables and contact wire for high speed trains. The first challenge was to be able to cast continuously high quality CuMg0.5 cast rod suitable for further processing. Casting copper magnesium is more complicated than that of pure copper. By tuning equipment, software and other parameters for the new raw material, the company reached its first target before the end of the year and got a full coil of the new alloy, of which the mechanical values as well as the surface quality and gain structure were acceptable. Since then, several good quality coils have been cast with various rod diameters. The CuMg rod is being further processed and refined into grooved contact wire for high-speed rails and into thin wire dimensions for other industrial applications. Upcast OY – Finland Website : www.upcast.com

UPCAST Oy has always been very research and development focused and active in seeking to improve existing processes, but at the same time looking at the market needs of the future. What kind of end products will the customers need and what kind of Upcast ® casting process they need in order to produce the perfect cast rod, tube or flat profile for their needs? Last year was very important for R&D when the second casting line saw its start up at the Pilot Plant. Now in addition to traditional Cu rod and tube, the development engineers in Markku Koivisto’s team got their hands on various Cu alloys to develop completely new upwards casting processes with alloys and further develop the ones which were already familiar from the past. One of the interesting alloys is copper magnesium (CuMg). The requirements for end products are changing and at the same time they become very demanding. All the time the design engineers, for example in the automotive, train or aeroplane industries – where copper products are used for multiple purposes due to their properties, especially for the excellent electrical conductivity – are looking for lighter weight, more durable solutions and stronger raw materials. CuMg seems very attractive for many reasons. It has good

Jiangsu Qunye Electrical Co., Ltd. is a specialized spools manufacturer. We have highlevel workshops and offices, first class equipment lines and complete inspection facilities, advanced management and quality control systems to fulfill all customers’

requirements. We manufacture all kinds of metal and plastic spools and gain a good market share both at home and abroad.

❍ Copper magnesium seems very attractive for many reasons

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Wire & Cable ASIA – November/December 2016