C70600, also known as UNS C70600, is a 90/10 copper-nickel alloy with a nominal composition of 90% copper and 10% nickel, plus small additions of iron and manganese to improve resistance to erosion-corrosion.
This alloy performs particularly well in flowing seawater environments. Its surface can form a dense and protective oxide film that helps resist general corrosion and pitting corrosion, while also providing a certain degree of resistance to marine biofouling.
Compared with 70/30 copper-nickel alloy, 90/10 copper-nickel offers a more cost-effective solution. Although its corrosion-resistance limit in high-velocity seawater is slightly lower than that of 70/30 copper-nickel, it can meet the design requirements of most marine seawater piping systems, condenser tubes, and firefighting systems.
Seamless pipe is one of the mainstream product forms for C70600 tubing and piping. C70600 seamless pipes are manufactured through extrusion, piercing, drawing, and related processes, with no welded seam. This eliminates potential weak points associated with welding and provides higher reliability under pressure, vibration, and fatigue service conditions.
Common international standards include ASTM B466 for seamless copper-nickel pipe, ASTM B111 for condenser and heat exchanger tubes, and EN 12451. MC Aluminum can organize production in accordance with these standards and provide supporting marine classification certification as required.
Main Features of C70600 Copper Nickel Pipe
1.Excellent Seawater Corrosion Resistance
C70600 copper-nickel alloy pipe can resist general corrosion in a variety of marine environments. It is suitable for marine and offshore piping systems operating with seawater and other compatible media.
2.Good Erosion-Corrosion Resistance
The alloy is suitable for seawater transfer systems operating at appropriate flow velocities. Proper pipeline design, including suitable flow velocity control and system cleanliness, helps reduce the risk of erosion-corrosion.
3.Anti-Biofouling Performance
The surface characteristics of copper-nickel alloy can help reduce the attachment and growth of certain marine organisms, making it a preferred material for seawater systems.
4.Good Thermal Conductivity
C70600 is suitable for condensers, heat exchangers, cooling systems, and other heat-transfer equipment.
5.Excellent Fabrication Performance
The material offers good bending, flaring, expansion, tube-to-tubesheet joining, and welding performance.
6.Reliable Mechanical Properties
C70600 copper-nickel pipe can meet the mechanical performance requirements of many marine piping systems and industrial fluid-transfer applications.
Product Specifications and Standards
| Item | Specification / Standard |
| Material Grade | C70600, UNS C70600, 90/10 Copper Nickel |
| Reference Standards | ASTM B111 / ASTM B395 / GB/T 3728 |
| Production Standards | ASTM B111, ASTM B395, GB/T 3728, ISO 9723 |
| Certifications | CE, ISO, API, DNV, ABS, LR, BV, CCS, and other marine classification approvals |
| Pipe Type | Seamless round pipe, welded pipe |
| Outside Diameter Range | Ø10 mm to Ø324 mm, customizable |
| Wall Thickness Range | 1 mm to 30 mm, customizable |
| Length | Standard fixed lengths of 5.8 m, 6 m, 11.8 m, and 12 m; customized lengths available |
| Delivery Condition | Bright annealed condition, soft temper; light-drawn or semi-hard temper available |
| Surface Finish | Bright finish, polished, sandblasted, electropolished, oiled, etc. |
| Packaging | Wooden cases, steel pallets, plastic protective sleeves, anti-corrosion and seaworthy export packaging |
Material Performance Parameters at 20°C
1. Mechanical Properties
| Property | C70600 90/10 Copper Nickel Alloy Pipe |
| Yield Strength, Min. | 200 MPa |
| Tensile Strength, Min. | 450 MPa |
| Elongation, Min. | 35% |
| Hardness | 120–180 HB |
| Density | 8.94 g/cm³ |
Mechanical properties may vary depending on product form, wall thickness, heat treatment condition, temper, and applicable standard. Final values should be confirmed by the material test certificate.
2. Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
| Thermal Conductivity at 100°C | Approx. 29 W/(m·K) |
| Electrical Conductivity | Approx. 1.5 × 10⁷ S/m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient, 20–100°C | Approx. 16.5 × 10⁻⁶ /°C |
| Melting Range | Approx. 1085–1105°C |
Typical Applications of 90/10 Copper Nickel Seamless Pipe
| Application | Recommended Specification | Notes |
| Seawater Circulation Systems | Ø25 mm–Ø100 mm, wall thickness 2–6 mm | Bright-finished or electropolished surfaces may help reduce marine growth and surface deposits. |
| Heat Exchanger and Condenser Tubes | Ø10 mm–Ø50 mm, wall thickness 1–3 mm | Seamless tubes are generally preferred for reliable sealing and heat-transfer performance. |
| High-Temperature Steam Piping | Ø50 mm–Ø150 mm, wall thickness 5–10 mm | Service temperature should generally be controlled below 400°C, subject to engineering design verification. |
| Chemical Corrosion Environments | Ø20 mm–Ø200 mm, wall thickness 3–8 mm | Material compatibility must be evaluated according to the specific chemical medium. |
| Low-Pressure Hydraulic Systems | Ø15 mm–Ø80 mm, wall thickness 2–5 mm | Weldable pipe materials are recommended for systems requiring frequent modification or installation work. |
How to Choose a Reliable China C70600 Copper Nickel Alloy Pipe Supplier
For overseas buyers, supplier selection directly affects product quality, delivery time, procurement cost, project compliance, and long-term maintenance. The following four factors should be considered when selecting a C70600 copper-nickel pipe supplier.
1. Confirm the Material Grade and Product Standard
Ensure that the supplied product meets the chemical composition requirements of UNS C70600 and complies with the relevant standards, such as ASTM B111/B111M or ASTM B466/B466M.
It is important to clarify whether the product is seamless pipe, welded pipe, condenser tube, or another product form. Materials with the same alloy grade may still have different technical requirements depending on the applicable product standard.
2. Check Chemical Composition and Mechanical Properties
A reliable supplier should provide complete material certificates and inspection documents, including:
Chemical composition analysis
Tensile strength report
Yield strength report
Elongation test report
Dimensional inspection records
Wall-thickness measurement records
Hydrostatic test or non-destructive testing records, where required
Other inspection reports required by the applicable standard
For shipbuilding and offshore engineering projects, third-party inspection and marine classification society documentation should also be confirmed according to the contract requirements.
3. Evaluate Dimensions and Processing Capability
Different shipbuilding and offshore projects may have different requirements for outside diameter, wall thickness, length, bending radius, end connections, and surface finish.
Choosing a supplier that can offer a broad size range, fixed-length cutting, beveling, pickling and passivation, degreasing, coil forming, and other value-added processing services can reduce on-site fabrication work and improve installation efficiency.
4. Confirm Delivery Time and Export Service
International procurement involves production scheduling, quality inspection, packaging, customs documentation, and ocean freight arrangements. A qualified supplier should be able to organize production according to order quantity and technical requirements, while providing suitable export packaging, product identification, and required shipping documents.
Procurement and Selection FAQ
Q1: How do I choose between C70600 90/10 and C71500 70/30 copper nickel?
A: C70600 offers better cost efficiency and is suitable for conventional flowing seawater and medium flow-velocity conditions. C71500 contains a higher nickel content and provides stronger resistance to erosion-corrosion, making it more suitable for high-velocity seawater, sand-containing seawater, and more severe corrosion conditions. However, C71500 is generally more expensive.
Q2: Can C70600 copper-nickel pipe directly replace 316L stainless steel seawater pipe?
A: Not necessarily. C70600 performs very well in flowing seawater and has advantages in resistance to pitting and marine biofouling. However, material selection must be separately evaluated for acidic media, sulfide-containing environments, stagnant seawater, polluted seawater, and special chemical service conditions. It should not be considered a direct replacement for 316L without engineering assessment.
Q3: Is on-site classification society inspection available for marine projects?
A: Yes. Classification inspection can be arranged for standard stock sizes when required. For customized sizes, production scheduling and inspection arrangements can be coordinated to support documentation review and inspection requirements from shipowners, shipyards, and classification societies.
Q4: What should be considered when welding C70600 piping?
A: TIG welding is generally preferred for high-quality copper-nickel pipe welding. Before welding, oil, moisture, dirt, oxides, and other contaminants should be removed from the groove and surrounding area. Matching copper-nickel filler metals should be selected. After welding, appropriate cleaning and surface treatment are recommended to reduce corrosion risk in the weld area.
Q5: Can you support export orders?
A: Yes. We have long-term experience in overseas supply and export. FOB, CIF, and other trade terms can be supported. Products are packed with moisture-resistant and seaworthy export protection, and English material certificates and marine inspection certificates can be provided as required.
Our Advantages as a C70600 Copper Nickel Alloy Pipe Supplier
1. With years of expertise, MC specializes in the production of copper-nickel alloy pipes. Our core offerings include C70600 and C71500 seamless copper-nickel pipes and fittings—such as elbows, tees, and flanges—providing a one-stop supply solution for seawater piping systems.
2. We maintain a ready stock of standard heat exchanger tubes and small-to-medium diameter pressure pipes, ensuring shorter lead times.
3. Utilizing extrusion and precision-rolling processes, our pipes feature uniform wall thickness and a high-quality, smooth internal surface, ensuring consistent heat-transfer efficiency.
4. We are well-versed in classification society standards and the inspection procedures for offshore and shipbuilding projects, providing full support for drawing reviews and documentation coordination.
5. We accommodate everything from sample requests and small-scale trial orders to large-volume, long-term framework agreements.
6. Additional processing services are available, including precision cutting, end-bevelling, pickling and passivation, degreasing, and coiling.
Request Technical Support and a Quote
Are you looking for a reliable Chinese supplier of C70600 (90/10) copper-nickel alloy pipes for your shipbuilding projects, offshore platform retrofits, or heat exchanger requirements?
Send us your procurement list—including specifications, applicable standards, pressure ratings/wall thicknesses, quantities, and any classification society requirements. Our international technical team will provide a detailed quotation (FOB, CIF, or DDP) and a sample material certificate within 12 hours!
