Have you heard name cupronickel or copper-nickel? So don’t worry, in this article, I will provide a complete Cupronickel Material Guide. Copper is one of the most popular metal elements in common use that has excellent resistance to corrosion as well as oxidation over a wide range of temperature. On the other hand, Nickel is the most versatile metal element, which can be alloyed with copper and formed copper nickel alloy or we can say Cupronickel alloy. The addition of nickel improves its strength and durability in high temperature and highly corrosive environments.
The copper contains in cupronickel alloy varies between 90 to 60% depending on nickel addition. Based on various copper and nickel composition, Cupronickel alloy should have different types. There are two famous and widely used cupronickel alloys such as
- Cupronickel 90/10 alloys
- Cupronickel 70/30 alloys
These names are given based on the chromium and nickel composition. 90% chromium and 10% nickel present in cupronickel 90/10 alloys, on the other hand, 70% chromium and 30% nickel present in cupronickel 70/30 alloys.
Properties – Cupronickel Alloys
Although having higher chromium content, cupronickel has a silver color. Cupronickel alloy offers excellent physical properties, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance.
Physical Properties of Cupronickel
Cupronickel is in silver color because of additions of nickel lighter the copper color. As the percentage of nickel increases, cupronickel color will be more silver. Copper-nickel alloy has an excellent surface finish and good temperature resistance.
Mechanical Properties of Cupronickel
The important mechanical properties possess by cupronickel are good tensile strength, excellent ductility, good expansion resistance, and higher thermal conductivity. For more details please check below table.
|
Alloys |
Density (g/cm3) |
Thermal Conductivity (W/mK) |
Elastic Modulus (GPa) |
Yield Strength (GPa) |
Tensile Strength (GPa) |
|
90/10 |
8.9 |
40 |
135 |
105 |
275 |
|
70/30 |
8.95 |
29 |
152 |
125 |
360 |
Corrosion Resistance of Cupronickel
The higher chromium content in cupronickel alloys offers excellent resistance to various corrosion including pitting & crevice corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and intergranular corrosion.
With the use of cupronickel alloys, different products are formed notably, Cupronickel Pipes & Tubes, Cupronickel, sheets & plates, pipe fittings and many more.
Applications – Cupronickel
Cupronickel exhibits excellent resistance to corrosion by saltwater so that they are extensively used in seawater systems, heat exchangers, condensers and piping systems.
Marine Applications
Desalination Plants
Offshore
Power Generation
Seawater System Design
Shipbuilding
Coinage
Cupronickel alloy is highly demanded in production of coins, due to its electrical conductivity, durability, malleability, corrosion resistance, ease in stamping and more.
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