This paper reviews the research progress of Cu-Ni-Si alloy as a lead frame material for ICs. Cu-Ni-Si alloy is considered a strong candidate for lead frame materials due to its excellent mechanical properties and adequate electrical conductivity. The types and properties of Cu-Ni-Si alloys are then discussed in detail, emphasizing strength and conductivity as two key indicators for evaluating the properties of Cu-Ni-Si alloys, as well as the challenges posed by their inverse correlation. The preparation methods of Cu-Ni-Si alloy, including conventional melting, vacuum melting, and jet forming, are also discussed, and the effects of different casting techniques on the alloy’s properties are analyzed. Furthermore, the conductivity and strengthening mechanisms of Cu-Ni-Si alloy, including solid solution strengthening, second phase strengthening, and deformation strengthening, are discussed. The effects of the Ni-Si atomic ratio, trace elements, and rare earth elements on the alloy’s properties are also discussed. Finally, the current research status of Cu-Ni-Si alloy is summarized, and future research directions are identified, including the development of new preparation technologies, establishment of systematic databases, and promotion of green manufacturing and sustainable alloy development.

IN625 offers high-temperature oxidation resistance, wear resistance, and stable chemical properties. To improve the corrosion and wear resistance of the Q345B steel surface, two types of metal matrix composites (IN625 + 1% Al₂O₃ and IN625 + 1% h-BN) were applied to the substrate surface using the laser cladding process. This study analyzed the hardness, electrochemical corrosion, friction, and wear properties of both the laser-clad specimens and the substrates. The results show that (1) the hardness and wear resistance of the fusion-coated coating were significantly improved compared with the base material. Notably, the hardness increased by 19%, and the coefficient of friction decreased by 41% compared with the IN625 + 1% h-BN coating. Furthermore, the hardness and wear resistance of the IN625 + 1% h-BN coating were superior to those of the IN625 + 1% Al₂O₃ coating, attributed to the formation of eutectic compounds such as NiB and Ni₂B in the dendritic region. (2) The corrosion resistance of the IN625 + 1% Al₂O₃ coating exceeds that of the IN625 + 1% h-BN coating and is also superior to that of the substrate. This improvement is primarily attributed to the addition of Al₂O₃, which enhances solid solution strengthening within the dendritic crystals of the fused-coating layer, reduces the percentage content of inclusions, and elevates the corrosion resistance of the coatings.

Cr8 steel should be Steel containing ~8 wt.% of chromium is widely used in demanding die applications due to its excellent wear resistance; however, conventional shot peening, while enhancing strength, inevitably increases surface roughness, thereby compromising overall performance. To address this limitation, this study systematically investigates the influence of ultrasonic surface rolling (USR) step size—comparing 0.06 mm and 0.12 mm—on mitigating surface degradation and improving surface integrity. Friction wear and electrochemical corrosion tests demonstrate that USR effectively reduces surface roughness and enhances microhardness. The 0.06 mm step size achieves superior results, yielding the lowest surface roughness (0.8317 μm), highest microhardness (647.47 HV), lowest friction coefficient (0.655), and optimal corrosion resistance (minimum corrosion rate reduction: 3.472 µA·cm⁻², corresponding to an inhibition efficiency of 37.05%). These performance improvements are attributed to the synergistic effects of surface smoothing and work hardening, resulting from more uniform processing achieved under a smaller step size. Consequently, a 0.06 mm step size is determined to be optimal, establishing the integrated shot peening–USR process as a highly effective strategy for enhancing surface properties and extending the service life of critical Cr8 steel components in industrial applications.