Cu-Ni alloys have found their way into all areas of engineering, including automotive, mechanical, electrical and industrial technology. In the car construction industry they are used for cooling systems (intercoolers, oil coolers), brake liners and abrasion-resistant pipes. In the aircraft industry, they are also used for air coolers and honeycomb radiators.
Cast copper-nickel alloys are particularly resistant to seawater and other chloride-containing solutions. Their high corrosion resistance makes them suitable for use as piping materials in shipbuilding, harbour installations, seawater evaporators and desalination plants. They are also used for marine steam lines and intakes, valves and pumps.
Nickel has a significant effect on the physical and mechanical properties of Cu-Ni alloys, as shown in Fig. 2.
The tensile strength and 0.2% proof strength increase with increasing nickel content, yet the elongation and area remain almost constant. This means that Cu-Ni alloys can be used at low temperatures without becoming brittle and have excellent mechanical properties in cryogenic engineering.
Cu-Ni alloys are a preferred material for heat exchangers and condensers in power plant and oil refineries as well as for nuts, pump parts, hot steam valves and heat exchanger tubes. They can also be produced as finned tube and crimped tube, which are outstanding for cryogenic vessels and superheaters, low-temperature, high-pressure and steam boiler fittings.
Cu-Ni alloys are suitable for casting by sand, permanent mould and continuous or centrifugal casting processes. They are often formed into shaped parts in dry sand or water-cooled copper moulds with medium permeability.
