Table of Contents
What is Copper-Nickel PM Alloy?
Copper-nickel alloys (typically 90/10 or 70/30 Cu-Ni) are produced via powder metallurgy for applications requiring excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in marine environments, combined with good thermal and electrical conductivity.
Common Compositions
- 90/10 Cu-Ni: 90% Copper, 10% Nickel
- 70/30 Cu-Ni: 70% Copper, 30% Nickel
Chemical Composition
90/10 Cu-Ni
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 88-92% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 9-11% |
| Iron (Fe) | 1.0-2.0% (strengthening) |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5-1.0% |
70/30 Cu-Ni
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 68-72% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 29-32% |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.5-1.0% |
Mechanical Properties (90/10, Density 8.2 g/cm3)
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 350-450 MPa (51-65 ksi) |
| Yield Strength | 180-250 MPa (26-36 ksi) |
| Elongation | 15-25% |
| Hardness | 70-90 HRB |
| Thermal Conductivity | 50-60 W/mK |
| Electrical Conductivity | 7-9% IACS |
70/30: Higher nickel = lower conductivity but superior corrosion resistance
Key Advantages
- Excellent Marine Corrosion Resistance - Seawater, salt spray
- Anti-Fouling Properties - Resists barnacle/mussel attachment
- Good Thermal Conductivity - Heat exchanger applications
- Moderate Electrical Conductivity - Electrical contacts
- Non-Magnetic - Suitable for marine electronics
- Antimicrobial - Copper kills bacteria
Typical Applications
Marine & Offshore
- Seawater pump impellers
- Valve bodies for marine use
- Fasteners for boats and offshore platforms
- Heat exchanger tubes
- Propeller components
Electrical/Electronic
- Electrical contacts (moderate conductivity + corrosion resistance)
- Connectors for harsh environments
- Shielding components
Thermal Management
- Heat sinks for marine electronics
- Condenser tubes
- Desalination equipment
Medical/Antimicrobial
- Antimicrobial surfaces (hospitals, food processing)
- Water purification components
Corrosion Resistance
Excellent Against:
- Seawater (chloride environments)
- Salt spray
- Marine atmospheres
- Sulfide corrosion
Mechanism: Nickel forms protective oxide film; copper has natural antimicrobial properties.
Performance: 70/30 Cu-Ni outperforms stainless steel in seawater.
Processing Parameters
- Compaction Pressure: 400-600 MPa
- Sintering Temperature: 800-900°C
- Sintering Atmosphere: Reducing (hydrogen or dissociated ammonia)
- Sintering Time: 20-40 minutes
- Typical Density: 8.0-8.5 g/cm3
Note: Lower sintering temperature than iron/steel alloys.
Secondary Operations
Common:
- Machining (excellent machinability)
- Polishing (improve aesthetics and corrosion resistance)
- Tumbling (deburr)
Optional:
- Plating (nickel or tin for electrical contacts)
- Heat treatment (limited hardening)
Design Considerations
Suitable For:
Marine/seawater environments Moderate thermal conductivity needs Antimicrobial applications Non-magnetic requirements
Not Suitable For:
鉂?High electrical conductivity (use pure copper) 鉂?High strength (use steel or bronze) 鉂?Low-cost applications (expensive material)
Material Comparison
| Material | Seawater Corrosion | Thermal Conductivity | Cost | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90/10 Cu-Ni | Excellent | Good (50 W/mK) | $$$$ | Marine pumps, heat exchangers |
| 70/30 Cu-Ni | Superior | Fair (30 W/mK) | $$$$$ | Offshore, desalination |
| 316L SS | Good | Poor (16 W/mK) | $$$ | General marine |
| Bronze (90/10) | Very Good | Good (60 W/mK) | $$$ | Bearings, marine hardware |
| Pure Copper | Poor | Excellent (400 W/mK) | $$ | Electrical only |
Cost Estimate
Material Cost: $20-35/kg (powder, varies with nickel price) Processing Cost: Medium (lower sintering temperature) Typical Part Cost: 4-6x carbon steel PM parts
Cost Drivers:
- Nickel content (volatile commodity price)
- Copper base (more expensive than iron)
Get Copper-Nickel PM Parts from SinterWorks
SinterWorks manufactures Cu-Ni alloy components:
- 90/10 and custom compositions available
- Marine-grade corrosion testing
- Precision machining capabilities
- Small to medium production volumes
Request a quote: Contact us for marine/corrosion-resistant PM parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Cu-Ni better than stainless steel for seawater?
Cu-Ni forms a more stable passive film in chloride environments and has natural anti-fouling properties.
Can Cu-Ni be heat treated?
Limited hardening possible. Mainly used in annealed or cold-worked condition.
What is the difference between 90/10 and 70/30?
70/30 has superior corrosion resistance and is used for more severe marine environments, but costs ~50% more and has lower thermal/electrical conductivity.
Is Cu-Ni antimicrobial?
Yes, copper has inherent antimicrobial properties, effective against bacteria and viruses.
Related Resources
Use these internal links to keep moving through the most relevant guides, service pages, and technical references for this topic.
Bronze Self-Lubricating Bearings
Compare a related copper-based PM material family when bearing behavior, lubrication, and maintenance-free service matter.
316L Material Guide
Review a stainless PM alternative when corrosion resistance matters but copper-nickel conductivity or marine behavior is not required.
Materials Overview
See where copper-nickel fits within broader PM material families used for bearings, heat transfer, and corrosion-sensitive components.
Request a Quote
Send your marine environment, conductivity needs, and geometry for copper-nickel PM material review and quotation support.