Copper Nickel Alloy: How Marine Industry Benefits From It

By Kate Perez


Copper Nickel or CuNi is an alloy that contains metals whose properties are resistant to corrosion and biofouling such as nickel and copper. In some cases, other strong metals such as iron and manganese are added for particular purposes. The electrode potential of Copper Nickel is neutral to seawater and thus makes the alloy corrosion resistant. This is the reason, the alloy is considered useful in several marine applications such as offshore fire water system, heat exchangers and condensers, hydraulic lines desalination units, and many more.

These metal alloys are also used as a material for building piping systems that are subject to harsh conditions. It took years of research before this alloy became the basic material for the marine building industry. Those who work in the field of marine engineering and ship building should know well these set of standards.

When CuNi was first developed during the 1920s this type of alloy was composed of 70% copper and 30% nickel. A few years later, engineers added 2% iron and 2% manganese. This combination proved to have better resistance against erosion. The 90-10 CuNi is used in piping systems that are submerged in seawater. Today, these two types of alloys are extensively used in the industry. The 70/30 CuNi alloy is more resistant to corrosion, while the 90/10 is cheaper and can be used in most marine applications.

There are certain standards that must be followed in order to bring out the full potential of this alloy. One of the guidelines that must be followed is to prevent the alloy from being exposed to pollution. Limitations to turbulence and velocity were also placed to promote safety and to ensure that the piping systems will perform properly.

If you need Copper nickel in your endeavours, you can get in touch with an engineering company. They'll not only answer for your material requirements but they will also help fulfil your needs for piping systems. From fabrication to threading, from pipe laying to installation, a professional contractor must be able to provide everything that you need. People who will work for the installation of piping systems are not only expert in this field, they are also associated with trustworthy marine product suppliers.




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