Copper-Nickel Cu-Ni 90/10 Alloy (UNS C70600)

Cu-Ni alloy 90/10 offers superior resistance to general corrosion and marine water attacks.
It resists corrosion by fast moving water. It has nominal temperature coefficient of electric
resistance. Alloy 90/10 prevents stress corrosion cracking and pitting and crevice corrosion.
The resistance to soil erosion and abrasive fluids is incomparable in the aqueous conditions.
It is commonly employed in seawater hardware, condenser tubes, automotive cooling
systems and in manufacturing coin.

Chemical Composition
Carbon (C) below 0.050 %

Copper (Cu) 85.6 to 90 %

Iron (Fe) 1 to 1.8 %

Lead (Pb) below 0.020 %

Manganese (Mn) below 1 %

Nickel (Ni) 9 to 11 %

Phosphorous (P) below 0.020 %

Sulfur (S) below 0.020 %

Zinc (Zn) below 0.50 %

Role of Chemical Constituents:

A Copper-Nickel Alloy consists of copper and nickel as the basic elements and with or
without other elements such as zinc may be present by less than 1%. Besides of other
elements, nickel is added in the highest concentration after copper. In addition of copper
and nickel, many industrial Cu-Ni alloys also comprise of manganese, iron and tin to
enhance the certain features, moreover the casting alloys also consist of niobium and
silicon.

Nickel: The pure nickel shows considerable effect on the physical and mechanical features of
Cu-Ni alloys. The tensile strength, 0.2% proof strength, hot strength, solidification and
liquefaction temperature and corrosion resistance improve with the addition of nickel
though the thermal and electrical conductivity reduce due to its performance. The tensile
strength increases with an increase in content of nickel, expansion remains same after
minor reduction in its content by 5%.

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 Manganese: Manganese is included to be liquefied for deoxidation. It holds sulphur that is
recognized for hot processing as undamaging manganese sulfide enhances the casting
features, increases strength, particularly the melting point.

Iron : Iron (Fe) included in the solid mixture improves the resistance to corrosion property of
Nickel-Copper alloy. It enhances the production of protected layer in water so increases the
corrosion resistance certainly in the rapidly flowing seawater.

Tin: An addition of tin increases the tensile strength; tarnish resistance and wear resistance
of Nickel-Copper alloy, also an alloy consisting of 2% Sn is unique as it has excellent
resistance to stress relaxation. Thus these alloys are utilized in making the spring
components. The alloy with large concentration of Tin such as from 4% to 10% is an age
hardenable material.
Niobium: Niobium improves the tensile strength and proof competency though the
elongation decreases. The positive effect of this element is on the welding character of
casting Nickel-Copper alloys.

Lead: The concentration of lead is kept low about 0.02% in the wrought alloys for hot
processing. In fact the amount of lead higher than 0.01% disturbs the welding character of
alloy. Although the casting alloys having lead up to 1-11% amount are widely considered for
machining.

Phosphorous: Phosphorus has powerful embrittling influence on the copper-nickel alloys

and reduces the welding character due to cracking. So the amount of phosphorous is kept
lower about 0.015% to 0.05%.
Physical Properties

Property Values
Density at 20oC or 68oF 8.90 gram/ cm3 or 0.320 ln per inch3
Melting point 1170 to 1240oC or 2140 to 2265 oF
Linear Coefficient of thermal expansion at -183 to 10oC or -297 oF to 0.000013 per oC or 0.000007 per oF
50 oF
20oC to 300oC or 68 to 572oF 0.000017 per oC or 0.000009 per of
Specific heat capacity at 20oC or 68 oF 0.09 cal/goC or 0.09 Btu/lb oF
Thermal conductivity at 20oC or 68oF 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

20 oC or 68oF (annealed or cold processed 5 microhm mm2 or 9% IACS

200oC or 392of (annealed or cold processed) 5 microhm mm2 or 8% IACS

Temperature coefficient of electrical resistance at 20oC or 68oF 0.00007 /oC (IACS 5%) or 0.00004 / oF (5 %
(annealed or cold processed) for temperature limit from 0oC to 100oC IACS)
or 32 to 212oF
Modulus of elasticity (tension) at 20oC or 68 oF annealed 13800 kg/mm2 or 19600000 lb per inch3
Cold processed 13000 kg / mm2 or 18500000 lb/ inch3

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 Modulus of rigidity (torsion) at 20oC or 68 oF annealed 5100 kg/mm3 or 7300000 lb / in2
Cold processed 4800 kg/mm2 or 6800000 lb per inch2
Electrical resistivity at -269oC or -452oF (annealed) 0.17 ohm/mm2/m or 104 ohms (circ mil
per ft)
17 microhm cm or 6.8 microhm inch
20 oC or 68oF (annealed or cold processed 0.19 ohm mm2/m or 115 ohms (circ mil/ft)
19 micro ohm cm or 7.5 micro ohm inch
200oC or 392of (annealed or cold processed) 0.22 ohm mm2/m or 130 ohms (cir mil per
ft)
22 micro ohm-cm or 8.5 micro ohm - inch
Fabrication Properties

Casting temperature 1225 oC to 1300 oC 2235 oF to 2370 oF

Annealing temperature 700 oC to 825 oC 1290 oF to 1515 oF
Stress relieving temp 275 oC to 400 oC 525 oF to 750 oF
Hot processing temp 825 oC to 950 oC 1560 oF to 1740 oF
Hot formability Suitable
Cold formability Outstanding
Cold reduction in annealed 80 %
Machining rate ( free cutting 20
brass – 100)
Soldering Outstanding
Brazing Suitable
Oxy acetylene welding Not preferred
Carbon arc welding Not preferred
Gas shielded arc welding Outstanding
Coated metal arc welding Suitable
Resistance welding Suitable
Butt welding Suitable

Mechanical Properties

Cu90/Ni10 alloy offers high mechanical features at the elevated temperatures. The hot
strength of copper enhances with the small amount of nickel. Nickel influences the molten
cold treated Copper-Nickel alloy at the high temperatures. An addition of iron increases the
mechanical properties at the room as well as high temperatures. The Cu-Ni alloys can be
utilized in making the pressure vessels about 300oC to 350oC. With an increase in
temperature, the strength decreases significantly, especially the creeping strength and
strain limit.
Tensile properties and hardness values

Form Temper Tensile Proof stress Elongation Vicke Shear strength size
strength offset rs
Hba Ton/i Hbar To % Gauge hard Hbar Ton/in
r nch2 n/i length ness ch2
nc
h2
Plate Annealed 32 21 12 8 42 % 5.65 85 25 16 -

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 Hot rolled as 34 22 14 9 40 % 5.65 95 26 17 12 to 50 mm thick or
produced 0.5 to 2 inch
Sheet Annealed 32 21 12 8 45 % 50 mm or 85 25 16 -
Strip 2 inch
Hot rolled as 36 23 19 12 40 % 50 mm or 105 26 17 3 to 10 mm or 0.125
produced 2 inch to 0.375 inch
Tube Annealed 32 21 14 9 40 % 5.65 85 25 16 -
Cold drawn or temper annealed

Temper annealed 36 23 19 12 35 % 5.65 120 28 18 50 to 255 mm or 2 to

Temper annealed 36 23 19 12 38 % 5.65 115 28 18 10 inch outer dia, 2
to 5 mm wall
Temper annealed 43 28 32 21 30 % 5.65 140 32 21 6 to 50 mm or 0.25
As drawn (hard) 54 35 46 30 13 % 5.65 165 36 23 to 2 inch outer dia
0.5 to 2 mm or 0.02
to 0.08 inch wall
Low Temperature Mechanical Properties
Tensile properties – impact properties

Form Tempe Temp Tensile strength Yield Elongation % Reducti Impact

r strength on area strength
oC oF Kg/ Ton psi 0.5 % ext, % Gauge % Kg Ft.
m /inc under length m/cm lb
m2 h2 load psi 2
Flat Hot 20 oC 68 oF 34. 22 49000 psi 29000 psi 34 % 4.52 mm 64 7.2 42
produc proces 5
ts sed -92 oC -134 oF 42 27 60000 psi 33000 psi 43 % 4.52 mm 65 9.7 56
-126 oC -195 oF 47 29. 66500 psi 33600 psi 50% 4.52 mm 62 12 68
5
Rod 19 Anneal 22 oC 72 oF 35 22 49600 psi 21400 psi 37 % 4.52 mm 79 19.7 114
mm ed -78 oC -108 oF 38. 24. 54700 psi 24700 psi 42 % 4.52 mm 77 19.5 113
dia, Anneal 5 5
0.75 ed - 197 oC -323 oF 50. 32 72000 psi 24800 psi 50 % 4.52 mm 77 19.9 115
inch 5
diam -253 oC -423 oF 58 37 82500 psi 30200 psi 50 % 4.52 mm 73 20 116
-269 oC -452 oF 56. 36 80600 psi 24900 psi 53 % 4.52 mm 73 - -
5
High Temperature Mechanical Properties
Short term tensile Characteristics

Form Temper Temperature Tensile strength Proof stress Elongation

oC oF Kg/m Ton/ psi Kg/mm2 Ton/ % Gauge length
m2 in2 in2
Plate Annealed 20 oC 68 oF 35 22.2 49500 psi 16.2 9.6 37 % 2 inch
66 oC 150 oF 35.5 22.7 51000 psi 12.4 7.5 37 % 2 inch
121 oC 250 oF 33.5 21.4 48000 psi 11.5 6.7 30 % 2 inch
177 oC 350 oF 32.5 20.5 48000 psi 10.4 6.3 35 % 2 inch
232 oC 450 oF 31. 19.7 44000 psi 10.6 6.2 31 % 2 inch

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 288 oC 550 oF 30 19 42500 psi 10.2 8 30 % 2 inch
316 oC 600 oF 29 18.5 41500 psi 9.29 5.2 29 % 2 inch

Hot 20 oC 68 oF 31 19.5 44000 psi 12 - - -

processed 100 oC 212 oF 31 19.5 44000 psi 12 - -- -
200 oC 392 oF 28 18 40000 psi 11.3 - - -
250 oC 482 oF 26.5 17 37500 psi 10.6 - - -
300 oC 572 oF 24.5 15.5 35000 psi 10 - - -
350 oC 662 of 23 14.5 32500 9.5
Rod Cold 27 oC 80 oF 40 25.5 56600 psi 37.5 - 24 % 2 inch
25mm processed 93 oC 200 oF 37.5 24 53300 psi 35.7 - 21 % 2 inch
dia., 1 21 % 204 oC 400 oF 34.5 22 49000 psi 33.2 - 18 % 2 inch
inch 316 oC 600 oF 31.5 20 44700 psi 30.4 - 15 % 2 inch
427 oC 800 oF 27 17 38200 psi 24.6 - 11 % 2 inch

Cold 27 oC 68 oF 46.5 29.5 66400 psi 44.9 - 16 2 inch

processed 93 oC 482 oF 43.5 27.5 61900 psi 41.1 - 17 2 inch
36 % 204 oC 400 oF 41 26 58400 psi 38.3 - 15 2 inch
316 oC 600 oF 37 23.5 52600 psi 35.5 - 13 2 inch
427 oC 800 oF 31.5 20 44900 psi 28.5 - 9 2 inch
Condenser Annealed 20 oC 68 oF 34 24.5 48500 psi 12.8 - 36 % 11.3 inch
tubes 100 oC 212 oF 32 29.5 45500 psi 11 - 30 % 11.3 inch
200 oC 392 oF 28 18 40000 psi 10.5 - 30 % 11.3 inch
300 oC 572 oF 25 16 35500 psi 10 - 28 % 11.3 inch
400 oC 752 oF 24 15 34000 psi 9 - 22 % 11.3 inch
500 oC 932 oF 18 11.5 25500 psi 8 - 26 % 11.3 inch
600 oC 1112 oF 11 7 15500 psi 7 - 32 % 11.3 inch
Tube 32 Annealed 20 68 38 24 54000 - 10.3 35 2 inch
mm outer 149 300 35 22.3 50000 - 9.8 31 2 inch
dia, 2 mm 177 351 34.5 21.8 49000 - 9.6 29 2 inch
wall 204 399 33.5 21.3 47500 - 9.5 28 2 inch
232 450 33 21 47000 - 9.5 26 2 inch
260 500 32.5 20.7 46500 - 9.4 25 2 inch
315 599 32 20.2 45000 - 9.2 23 2 inch
400 752 29.5 18.6 41500 - 9 18 2 inch

Magnetism

Copper-Nickel alloys do not show ferromagnetism. Copper shows diamagnetic nature and
nickel shows ferromagnetic. The magnetic nature of nickel-copper alloys varies from
diamagnetic to paramagnetic then ferromagnetic with the change in the concentration of
nickel. On the base of alloy, iron shows nominal effect when it is kept in the solid solution.
The precipitation of iron in the ferromagnetic microscopic particles leads to increase in
ferromagnetism.
The precipitated free matrix remains diamagnetic or paramagnetic. Copper-Nickel alloys
containing 20-25% nickel, 20% iron or 25% cobalt, are used in the construction of magnetic
materials. Due to their remanence and coercive forces, these fit best for making the
permanent magnets. The physical features of the wrought copper-nickel alloys have been
analyzed completely and these are significant from the room temperature to 1000oC.

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 Creeping Strength
Form Temper Temp Stress Time Elongation Intercept Creeping rate
oC Of Kg/mm2 Ton/in2 Psi Hours % % % per 1000
hours
Rod Annealed 149 300 10.5 6.7 15000 psi 6000 0.8705 % 0.128 % Below 0.0001 %
3mm (grain size oC oF 14.1 8.9 20000 psi 6000 2.131 % 0.242 % 0.00016 %
dia, 0.025 17.6 11.2 25000 psi 6000 4.705 % 0.1637 % 0.00022 %
0.125 mm)
inch

204 400 6.5 4.1 9200 psi 6000 0.0585 % 0.003 % 0.0001 %
oC oF 10 6.3 14200 psi 6000 0.6039 % 0.0795 % 0.00073 %
13.5 8.6 19200 psi 6000 2.178 % 0.202 % 0.0020 %
15.6 9.9 22200 psi 6000 2.650 % 0.465 % 0.0028 %

260 500 6.5 4.1 9200 psi 6000 0.090 % 0.0143% 0.00061 %
oC oF 9.8 5.9 13150 psi 6000 0.516 % 0.2538% 0.0017 %
12.8 8.1 18150 psi 6000 1.803 % 0.1756% 0.0038 %

Applications
Electronic Industry
Copper-Nickel Cu90/Ni10 alloy is widely chosen in the electrical engineering for spring,
relays, nominal current switch and plug joints. It obtains exceptionally high relaxation
features and is best for using in these applications.

Cu-Ni alloy is a quality spring material that can be utilized in the various operations like
electromagnetic switches, navigation and measuring apparatus.

Sea Water
Specifically, Cu-Ni 90/10 has become essential for making the components of ships, power
houses, heat exchanging device and seawater desalination houses. It is mainly purposeful
for having low nickel amount for the economical operations and utilized in piping. The need
of resistance to corrosion is more serious in ships containing condensers and seawater lines.

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Moreover Copper-Nickel Cu90/Ni10 alloy is used as the preferable pipe material certainly in
the dynamic seawater. This is also suitable in the various other solutions such as abrasive
fluids. It is mostly used due to its high strength and resistance to corrosion. The cast Copper-
Nickel Cu90/Ni0 alloys are used in the seawater quenching equipments of ships and
chemical processing due to their tremendous resistance to the seawater and chloride
solutions.

The Cu-Ni alloys are the specialized material to make the pipes for ships and harbour
installation in the seawater, brackish water and deck steam streaks. These are also utilized
for intake ships shafts, rings and discs for the hydraulic plants.

The valves, pumps, fitting, flanges, solver fitting and small components made of Cu-Ni alloys
have been known to become the excellent material for ship parts due to excellent resistance
to the seawater. The Cu-Ni alloys are also utilized in the firewater systems, lifeboat and
more. The die forged parts of Copper-Nickel Cu90/Ni10 tubing are used in the production of
T and bend parts of hydraulic equipments in the ships.

The Copper-Nickel Cu90/Ni10 sheet is utilized in the swimming batch heater, cooling
condenser and oil coolers. The approved functionality of Cu-Ni alloy pipe in the marine
operations has made it the best choice for offshore commerce.

In the various quenching circuits 90/10 alloy is used as fitting materials. Therefore it is viable
to utilize the material to obtain security from the
corrosion.

Due to the fouling inhibition features and excellent

resistance in the water mediums, the Copper-Nickel
Cu90/Ni10 alloy is suitable for cladding. Avoiding the
fouling and enhancing the tenderness of the ship hull, the
significant amount of fuel can be saved at the same rate
and maintenance costs can be reduced. The Copper-
Nickel alloy Cu90/Ni10 cladding of platform legs resists
corrosion and fouling. In the marine operations it is also used in the evaporators and other
components as thin dimpled sheet in the water chambers.

Available Forms
Wire, mesh, strip, foil, sheet, plate, rod, bar, pipe, tubing, flanges

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