Home > Our Materials >Nickel and Its Alloys > Copper-Nickel
Nickel and Its Alloys
Copper-nickel
Chemical Industry
Maritime
Faucets and Fittings
Industrial Heating
Musical Instruments
Catalog
Available shades
Select a grade to view its complete technical data sheet: chemical composition, mechanical properties, and available shapes and dimensions.
CuNi10Fe1Mn
Copper-nickel
CuNi30Mn1Fe
Copper-nickel
Concept Métal, your supplier of cupronickel
The copper-nickel is an alloy of copper and nickel (symbol CuNi) known for its exceptional resistance to seawater. Stable, durable, and naturally resistant to fouling, it is the material of choice for heat exchangers, condensers, and equipment exposed to marine environments.
What is a copper-nickel alloy?
The copper-nickel is a copper-based metal alloy containing varying proportions of nickel, often supplemented with iron and manganese to improve its strength. The numbers in the designation indicate the nickel content: CuNi10 contains about 10%, and CuNi30 contains about 30%.
Grades of copper-nickel are:
- CuNi10Fe1Mn : the classic “90/10” for marine piping
- CuNi30Mn1Fe : “70/30,” which is more resistant to erosion
- CuNi14Al3 : hardened grade with enhanced mechanical strength
Learn more
The Properties of Copper-Nickel
Resistance to Corrosion and Marine Erosion
This is the key property of copper-nickel. Whereas saltwater rapidly corrodes most metals, it retains its integrity even under high flow rates, making it the material of choice for seawater systems. For marine components subjected to high mechanical stress, one would turn to copper-aluminum.
Natural antifouling properties
The copper-nickel naturally limits the adhesion of marine organisms (algae, shellfish). This anti-fouling effect reduces surface fouling and maintains the performance of the systems over time, without the need for additional treatment.
Thermal stability
The copper-nickel retains its mechanical properties up to approximately 400 °C, making it suitable for thermal equipment and applications involving temperature fluctuations, particularly heat exchangers and condensers.
What are the industrial applications of cupronickel?
Because of its durability in a marine environment, the copper-nickel is used in many industries for the manufacture of:
- seawater piping and systems
- heat exchangers and condensers
- Marine and Offshore Equipment
- components for the chemical industry and desalination
- Custom-made technical parts custom-made
Applications
- Chemical Industry
- Maritime
- Faucets and Fittings
- Industrial Heating
- Musical Instruments
Available Sizes
- Round bars
- Flat-bottomed
- Plates
- Custom-made: blanks, blocks, discs, parts made to specifications
Gallery
Is your shade not listed?
Our teams can source specific grades or those that are hard to find on the market. Contact us with your designation or standard.