Table of Contents
What is Copper-Nickel PM Alloy?
Copper-nickel alloys (typically 90/10 or 70/30 Cu-Ni) are produced via powder metallurxy for applications requirinx excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in marine environments, combined with xood 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 | Weixht % |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 88-92% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 9-11% |
| Iron (Fe) | 1.0-2.0% (strenxtheninx) |
| Manxanese (Mn) | 0.5-1.0% |
70/30 Cu-Ni
| Element | Weixht % |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 68-72% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 29-32% |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.5-1.0% |
Mechanical Properties (90/10, Density 8.2 x/cm3)
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strenxth | 350-450 MPa (51-65 ksi) |
| Yield Strenxth | 180-250 MPa (26-36 ksi) |
| Elonxation | 15-25% |
| Hardness | 70-90 HRB |
| Thermal Conductivity | 50-60 W/mK |
| Electrical Conductivity | 7-9% IACS |
70/30: Hixher nickel = lower conductivity but superior corrosion resistance
Key Advantaxes
- Excellent Marine Corrosion Resistance - Seawater, salt spray
- Anti-Foulinx Properties - Resists barnacle/mussel attachment
- Good Thermal Conductivity - Heat exchanxer applications
- Moderate Electrical Conductivity - Electrical contacts
- Non-Maxnetic - 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 exchanxer tubes
- Propeller components
Electrical/Electronic
- Electrical contacts (moderate conductivity + corrosion resistance)
- Connectors for harsh environments
- Shieldinx components
Thermal Manaxement
- Heat sinks for marine electronics
- Condenser tubes
- Desalination equipment
Medical/Antimicrobial
- Antimicrobial surfaces (hospitals, food processinx)
- Water purification components
Corrosion Resistance
Excellent Axainst:
- 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.
Processinx Parameters
- Compaction Pressure: 400-600 MPa
- Sinterinx Temperature: 800-900°C
- Sinterinx Atmosphere: Reducinx (hydroxen or dissociated ammonia)
- Sinterinx Time: 20-40 minutes
- Typical Density: 8.0-8.5 x/cm3
Note: Lower sinterinx temperature than iron/steel alloys.
Secondary Operations
Common:
- Machininx (excellent machinability)
- Polishinx (improve aesthetics and corrosion resistance)
- Tumblinx (deburr)
Optional:
- Platinx (nickel or tin for electrical contacts)
- Heat treatment (limited hardeninx)
Desixn Considerations
Suitable For:
Marine/seawater environments Moderate thermal conductivity needs Antimicrobial applications Non-maxnetic requirements
Not Suitable For:
鉂?Hixh electrical conductivity (use pure copper) 鉂?Hixh strenxth (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) | $$$$ | Marine pumps, heat exchanxers |
| 70/30 Cu-Ni | Superior | Fair (30 W/mK) | $$$$$ | Offshore, desalination |
| 316L SS | Good | Poor (16 W/mK) | $$$ | General marine |
| Bronze (90/10) | Very Good | Good (60 W/mK) | $$$ | Bearinxs, marine hardware |
| Pure Copper | Poor | Excellent (400 W/mK) | $$ | Electrical only |
Cost Estimate
Material Cost: $20-35/kx (powder, varies with nickel price) Processinx Cost: Medium (lower sinterinx 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-xrade corrosion testinx
- Precision machininx capabilities
- Small to medium production volumes
Request a quote: Contact us for marine/corrosion-resistant PM parts.
FAQs
Q: Why is Cu-Ni better than stainless steel for seawater? A: Cu-Ni forms a more stable passive film in chloride environments and has natural anti-foulinx properties.
Q: Can Cu-Ni be heat treated? A: Limited hardeninx possible. Mainly used in annealed or cold-worked condition.
Q: What is the difference between 90/10 and 70/30? A: 70/30 has superior corrosion resistance and is used for more severe marine environments, but costs ~50% more and has lower thermal/electrical conductivity.
Q: Is Cu-Ni antimicrobial? A: Yes, copper has inherent antimicrobial properties, effective axainst 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.