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Copper Nickel 90-10

Copper Nickel 90-10

90/10 Copper-Nickel-Iron | 90/10 Cu pro-nickel | Cupro-nickel, 90/10 | CuNi10Fe1Mn | EN 12163 | 2.0872

Alloy Copper Nickel 90/10 is a completely different category of alloy. As the name suggests, it constitutes of 90% of copper as its base element and 10% nickel. Though some may argue it as a double-phase alloy, it is single-phase because nickel becomes soluble in copper.

Some proportion of iron might be added in the grade to enhance general corrosion resistance, erosion resistance, and resistance to corrosion from water at uneven pressure and turbulent flow. Sometimes even manganese is added for improving strength and corrosion resistance.

Other alloying elements like zinc, silicon, lead, etc are also added at times to attain required properties. The overall chemical composition of the grade provides fine strength and ductility. The common wrought forms of the grade are sheets, plate, and tubes. However, the grade has fine machining characteristics and can be readily fabricated to a required form. It becomes a popular choice in marine, constructional and various industrial applications. The grade can be used at elevated temperatures but in a controlled manner. Moderate strength is retained at elevated temperatures.

The grade manages to provide thermal stability at elevated temperatures. It can also be suitably used at lower temperatures, even down to cryogenic temperatures, it retains its mechanical properties. The grade has fine resistance to creep and fatigue properties. It passed the reverse bending test and also the required test for designated creep rate in the alloy at moderate to elevated temperatures. It can thereby be used in dynamic applications. There is often an unwanted influx of hydrogen in the microstructure during processes like forming.

This leads to embrittlement of the material. The copper-nickel grade has fine resistance to hydrogen embrittlement and it is relatively used in respective applications. The grade also has its applications in highly hygienic and sanitary based environments since it readily kills 99.9% of unwanted microorganisms including viruses. It has commendable antimicrobial properties. Hence, it has high-end applications in healthcare environments. The grade has fine hot working as well as cold working capability, hot working processes can be done on the grade at around 850-950°C.

  • Chemical properties
  • Physical properties
  • General data
  • Standards Specifications
  • Forms of Supply
  • Corrosion Resistance
  • Heat Treatment
  • Weldability
  • Machining
  • Applications
  • Possible grade alternatives
Grade   Cu Fe Pb Mn Ni Zn
90-10 Min./Max. Rem. 1.0-1.8 .05 1.0 9.0-11.0 1.0
Nominal 88.6 1.4 - - 10.0 -
Density 8.94 g/cm3 0.323 lb/in3
Elastic Modulus 140 GPa   20300 ksi
Poissons Ratio 0.34       
Melting Point 1170 to 1240oC or 2140 to 2265 oF
Shears MODULUS (N/MM2) 52.0 GPa  7540 ksi
Specific heat capacity 0.09 cal/goC or 0.09 Btu/lb oF
Thermal conductivity 0.12 cal cm/cm2 s oC or 29 BTU ft/ft2 h oF
Electrical conductivity at -269oC or -452oF (annealed) 5.8 microhm mm2 or 10% IACS
Standard 90-10
UNS C70600
WERKSTOFF NR. 2.0872
EN 12449 CuNi10Fe1Mn
BS CN­10­2
DIN CuNi10Fe1Mn
AFNOR CuNi10Fe1Mn
Pipes & Tubes
Summary Standards
Standard Specification for Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser Tubes and Ferrule Stock ASTM B111
Standard Specification for Copper and Copper-Alloy Seamless Condenser and Heat Exchanger Tubes With Integral Fins ASTM B359
Standard Specification for U-Bend Seamless Copper and Copper Alloy Heat Exchanger and Condenser Tubes ASTM B395
Standard Specification for Welded Copper-Nickel Pipe ASTM B467
Standard Specification for Welded Copper and Copper-Alloy Heat Exchanger Tube ASTM B543
Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Copper–Nickel Tubes for Water Desalting Plants ASTM B552

Piping and tubing, fittings and flanges, washers.

The copper-nickel grade has excellent resistance to seawater, brackish water, and flow of water having air bubbles and turbulent flow. It also has fine resistance to biofouling in seawater. It readily resists phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid and other mild organic acids. When tested under moist air or steam, the grade visibly shows fine oxidation resistance. The inclusion of iron and manganese in the grade further enhances the corrosion resistance properties and even provide the required resistance for stress cracking. It also provides required resistance to chlorides, sulphates, nitrates, and ammonium compounds.

The grade is annealed appropriately for removal of internal stresses. It is done around 600-820°C, followed by proper quenching. Thorough soaking and time at the temperature at every section are managed meticulously. Nickel is soluble in the copper phase. However, other alloying elements do not get homogenized in the grain structure even after thermal treatment.

The grade is readily weldable using techniques like gas spot welding, oxyacetylene welding, shielded arc welding, brazing, coated metal arc welding, butt welding, soldering and seam welding processes. There is no carbon content in the grade and hence the welding techniques used in this grade are different than that of austenitic and ferritic grades.

The grade has fine machining and fabricating properties. The normal machining rate of the grade is 20%. Positive feeds, powerful machinery, adequate lubrication, rigid tooling is recommended. They are often machined and forged as pump and valve parts to be used in various services.

Marine hardware, Underwater tubing, Power steering tube, brake lines, condenser plates, valve and pump components, Fish cages for aquaculture, Desalination units, Seawater pipework, pressure vessels and distiller tubes, hot water tanks, saltwater baffles, propeller sleeves, flanges, boat hulls, marine fittings and marine hardware, Offshore fire water systems, cooling plant, evaporator tubes, Tubes for power plants and ships, Hydraulic lines, Heat exchangers and condensers.

Grade copper nickel 70/30
Grade   Cu Fe Pb Mn Ni Zn
70-30 Min./Max. Rem. 0.4-1.0 0.05 1.0 29.0-33.0 1.0
Nominal 69.5 0.50 - - 30.0 -

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