In the vast marine environment, the selection of piping materials is directly related to the safety, reliability, and service life of ships and offshore engineering equipment. Seawater is highly corrosive, and complex service conditions such as marine organism attachment and high-velocity water erosion place extremely demanding requirements on piping materials. Among copper nickel alloys, 90/10 copper nickel alloy (CuNi90FeMn) has become one of the most popular materials due to its cost-effectiveness and excellent performance.

Product Introduction

Marine 90/10 copper nickel seamless tube is a seamless tube made mainly of copper and nickel, with small additions of iron, manganese, and other elements.

Its typical chemical composition includes:

Copper as the balance, approximately 88.6%-90.5%; nickel 9.0%-11.0%; iron 1.0%–1.8%; manganese 0.5%–1.0%; and total impurities controlled below 0.5%.

The addition of small but important amounts of iron and manganese significantly improves the corrosion resistance of the material. Iron greatly enhances the alloy's resistance to erosion corrosion, while manganese helps refine the grain structure and strengthen the adhesion of the passive film.

Compared with welded tubes, seamless tubes have no weld seam and a more uniform overall structure, offering advantages in pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, and long-term service stability.

Why Does the Shipbuilding Industry Choose 90/10 Copper Nickel Seamless Tube?

1. Excellent Corrosion Resistance

90/10 copper nickel alloy can form a stable and dense protective film in seawater, effectively reducing the corrosion rate. This makes it highly suitable for marine applications.

2. Good Mechanical Properties

It has good mechanical properties, including high strength and excellent ductility, allowing it to withstand considerable mechanical stress while remaining easy to process and manufacture.

3. Resistance to Marine Biofouling

90/10 copper nickel alloy slowly releases trace copper ions, effectively inhibiting the attachment of marine organisms such as algae, shellfish, and barnacles.

4. Good Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity of 90/10 copper nickel alloy is approximately 42–50 W/(m·K), about three times that of 304 stainless steel. It is widely used in condensers and heat exchangers, effectively improving heat exchange efficiency.

5. Excellent Weldability and Fabrication Performance

90/10 copper nickel seamless tube has good workability and can be welded by TIG welding, MIG welding, automatic welding, butt welding, and other methods. Its corrosion resistance remains excellent after welding, making it very suitable for large shipbuilding projects.

6. Cost-Effectiveness

Compared with other high-performance materials, 90/10 copper nickel alloy has a relatively lower cost, making it an economical and practical choice.

7. Versatility

It can be used in various applications, including ship systems, offshore engineering, and industrial applications, making it a highly versatile material.

8. Long Service Life

Thanks to its excellent corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties, 90/10 copper nickel alloy has a longer service life than many other materials, helping reduce maintenance costs and replacement frequency.

Specifications of C70600 Copper Nickel Tube

Applications of Marine C70600 Copper Nickel Seamless Tube

1. Ship Systems

Seawater Supply System:

Used for seawater supply pipelines due to its excellent resistance to seawater corrosion.

Cooling System:

Used in marine cooling systems because of its good thermal conductivity.

Fuel System:

Used for fuel transmission pipelines because of its good corrosion resistance to fuel.

2. Offshore Engineering

Subsea Pipelines:

Used for subsea pipelines due to its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength.

Offshore Platforms:

Used for various pipelines and fittings on offshore platforms.

Seawater Treatment Facilities:

Used in pipelines and equipment for seawater treatment facilities.

3. Industrial Applications

Chemical Industry:

Used in pipelines for handling corrosive fluids.

Power Industry:

Used in cooling systems for power equipment.

Pharmaceutical Industry:

Used in pipelines and fittings for pharmaceutical equipment.

Manufacturing Process of Seamless Tubes

The production of 90/10 copper nickel seamless tube adopts a mature process route combining hot extrusion and cold working. The specific process includes: high-purity electrolytic copper and nickel-iron are melted and cast into solid billets according to the required ratio; the billets are then heated for hot piercing and hot extrusion to form tube blanks; afterward, the tube blanks are finished through multiple passes of cold drawing or cold rolling to achieve precise dimensions and a smooth surface finish; finally, bright stress-relief annealing is performed to eliminate work hardening and restore the material's ductility and corrosion resistance.

Before leaving the factory, finished products undergo strict 100% inspection, including eddy current flaw detection, hydrostatic pressure testing, spectroscopic material reinspection, and mechanical property testing. A complete quality assurance report is provided for each batch. This strict quality control ensures that the seamless tube has a dense and uniform wall structure without a weld seam, which could otherwise become a weak point under pressure.

Manufacturing Process of CuNi90/10 Seamless Tube

The production of 90/10 copper nickel seamless tube adopts a mature process route combining hot extrusion and cold working. The specific process includes: high-purity electrolytic copper and nickel-iron are melted and cast into solid billets according to the required ratio; the billets are then heated for hot piercing and hot extrusion to form tube blanks; afterward, the tube blanks are finished through multiple passes of cold drawing or cold rolling to achieve precise dimensions and a smooth surface finish; finally, bright stress-relief annealing is performed to eliminate work hardening and restore the material's ductility and corrosion resistance.

Before leaving the factory, finished products undergo strict 100% inspection, including eddy current flaw detection, hydrostatic pressure testing, spectroscopic material reinspection, and mechanical property testing. A complete quality assurance report is provided for each batch. This strict quality control ensures that the seamless tube has a dense and uniform wall structure without a weld seam, which could otherwise become a weak point under pressure.

Standards for CuNi90/10 Seamless Tube

Marine 90/10 copper nickel seamless tube usually complies with the following international standards:

ASTM B111

ASTM B466

ASTM B467

ASME SB111

ASME SB466

EN 12451

DIN 86019

ISO 1635

MIL-T-16420, for military applications

Ship classification society certifications can also be provided according to project requirements, including:

ABS

DNV

LR

BV

CCS

NK

KR

RINA

These certifications meet the quality requirements of international shipbuilding and offshore engineering projects.

Maintenance Recommendations for Copper Nickel Alloy Tubes

To ensure the long-term performance and service life of 90/10 copper nickel seamless tube, the following maintenance recommendations are suggested:

1. Regular Inspection

Regularly inspect pipelines and fittings for signs of corrosion, leakage, or other damage. This helps detect problems in time and allows repairs to be carried out promptly.

2. Keep Clean

Keep pipelines and fittings clean to prevent corrosion and blockage. This can be achieved through regular cleaning and descaling.

3. Use Suitable Seals

Use suitable seals to ensure tight and reliable connections. This helps prevent leakage and corrosion.

4. Avoid Over-Tightening

Avoid over-tightening pipes and fittings to prevent material damage or stress concentration, which may lead to pipe cracking or unreliable connections.

5. Consider Environmental Factors

Consider environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, and chemical substances to ensure material performance and service life. This can be achieved through proper material selection and design.