ASTM B111 C70600 Copper Nickel Tube 90/10

Gnee Steel (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional manufacturers and suppliers of astm b111 c70600 copper nickel tube 90/10 in China, specialized in providing high quality copper products with competitive price. Welcome to buy discount astm b111 c70600 copper nickel tube 90/10 for sale here from our factory. Customized orders are welcome.

 

ASTM B111 C70600 is a copper-nickel alloy containing approximately 90% copper and 10% nickel, with small additions of iron and manganese. It is one of the most commonly specified materials for seawater-cooled heat exchangers, condensers, and evaporators.

 

Unlike aluminum brass (C68700) or admiralty brass (C44300), C70600 offers significantly better resistance to high-velocity seawater, erosion-corrosion, and ammonia attack. The trade-off is lower thermal conductivity and higher material cost.

 

This alloy is specified for shell and tube heat exchanger, heat exchanger condenser, and shell tube evaporator applications where service life of 30+ years is required or where water velocity exceeds 2.5 m/s.

 

We supply C70600 tubing to ASTM B111, ASME SB111, EN 12451, and JIS H3300 standards. Straight lengths and u tube heat exchanger bends are available from stock in common sizes.

 

The table below shows the required composition per ASTM B111. The iron and manganese content are critical – they improve resistance to impingement corrosion and erosion in high-velocity seawater.

Element	Percentage (%)
Copper (Cu)	86.5 min (including nickel)
Nickel (Ni)	9.0 – 11.0
Iron (Fe)	1.0 – 1.8
Manganese (Mn)	1.0 max
Lead (Pb)	0.05 max
Zinc (Zn)	1.0 max
Others	0.5 max total

 

The 90/10 copper-nickel composition (90% Cu, 10% Ni) is the most common cupronickel alloy for heat exchanger tubes. The iron content of 1.0-1.8% is essential – it slows down the corrosion rate by forming a protective iron-rich film on the tube surface. Manganese serves a similar purpose.

 

C70600 is covered under the following standards:

ASTM B111 – Standard specification for copper and copper alloy seamless condenser tubes

ASME SB111 – ASME code version with additional certification requirements

EN 12451 – European standard (alloy designation CuNi10Fe1Mn)

JIS H3300 – Japanese standard (alloy designation C7060T)

For ASME code applications, specify SB111 C70600 rather than ASTM B111.

 

Property	Value (annealed temper)
Tensile strength (min)	270 MPa (39 ksi)
Yield strength (0.5% extension, min)	105 MPa (15 ksi)
Elongation (min)	30%
Hardness (Rockwell B)	40 – 75
Thermal conductivity (20°C)	45 W/m·K
Coefficient of thermal expansion (20-300°C)	17.0 µm/m·K
Density	8.94 g/cm³
Electrical conductivity (% IACS)	9%
Maximum continuous operating temperature	200°C (400°F)

 

Thermal conductivity of C70600 (45 W/m·K) is less than half that of C68700 (100 W/m·K) and about one-ninth that of C12200 copper (400 W/m·K). This means a heat exchanger using C70600 tubes will require significantly more surface area than one using copper tubes for the same thermal duty. However, in seawater service, copper tubes are not viable. The comparison is between C70600, C68700, and C71500.

 

The lower thermal conductivity is the main disadvantage of cupronickel. The advantages – corrosion resistance and service life – often outweigh this for critical seawater applications.

 

We supply copper alloy tube for heat exchanger in the following dimensions. Stock sizes are available for immediate shipment.

Outer diameters – stocked and commonly ordered:

copper heat exchanger tube 5/8 inch (15.88mm)

copper heat exchanger tube 3/4 inch (19.05mm)

copper heat exchanger tube 1 inch (25.4mm)

copper heat exchanger tube OD 19mm

copper heat exchanger tube OD 25.4mm

Other diameters from 12mm to 32mm are available on request.

 

Wall thickness:

Standard wall thicknesses range from 0.7mm to 3.0mm. BWG sizes such as 18 BWG (1.24mm), 16 BWG (1.65mm), 14 BWG (2.11mm), and 12 BWG (2.64mm) are commonly stocked for C70600.

 

Length:

Straight tubes are available in lengths up to 30 meters. Copper heat exchanger tube length can be cut to your requirement.

 

U-bends:

We fabricate u tube heat exchanger and u tube bundle heat exchanger bends from C70600. Minimum bending radius is 3.0 × OD for annealed tube. Due to the alloy's lower ductility compared to brass, U-bends require careful tooling and inspection.

 

Design parameters for heat exchanger:

Heat exchanger tube pitch – Standard is 1.25 × OD. For C70600, wider pitch is sometimes specified to accommodate cleaning tools.

Heat exchanger tube sheet drilling – Tube holes should be drilled to a tolerance of ±0.08mm from nominal OD. Surface finish of tube holes should be 3.2 µm Ra or better for proper tube rolling.

Heat exchanger pipe diameter – For shell-side flow calculations, use actual measured OD.

 

C70600 is specified when the cooling medium is seawater and long service life is required. It is the standard material for many marine and coastal power plant applications.

 

Power plant condensers

Heat exchanger condenser units in coastal and nuclear power plants commonly use C70600. The alloy handles water velocities up to 3.5 m/s and tolerates the chlorine used for biofouling control. Service life of 30-40 years is typical.

 

Desalination plants

Shell tube evaporator units in multi-stage flash (MSF) and multi-effect distillation (MED) plants specify C70600 for the brine heater and heat rejection sections. The alloy resists the high-temperature (up to 110°C) saline environment better than brass alloys.

 

Marine heat exchangers

Ships, offshore platforms, and floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units use C70600 extensively. Applications include:

Central coolers

Engine jacket water coolers

Lube oil coolers

Heat exchanger HVAC systems for accommodation

Shell and tube heat exchanger for various marine services

 

Oil and gas platforms

Offshore platforms in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Middle East use C70600 for firewater pump coolers, generator coolers, and process coolers where seawater is the cooling medium.

 

Desalination pretreatment

Heat exchanger boiler feedwater preheaters in desalination plants often specify C70600 to prevent iron oxide contamination of the feedwater.

 

lloy	Best application	Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)	Relative cost	Seawater velocity limit	Typical service life
C12200 (copper)	Fresh water	400	Low	Not for seawater	1-3 years in seawater
C44300 (admiralty brass)	Clean seawater, <2 m/s	100	Low-Medium	2.0 m/s	10-15 years
C68700 (aluminum brass)	Variable seawater, <2.5 m/s	100	Medium	2.5 m/s	15-20 years
C70600 (90/10 cupronickel)	Seawater, <3.5 m/s	45	High	3.5 m/s	25-40 years
C71500 (70/30 cupronickel)	Aggressive seawater, high velocity	30	Very high	4.5 m/s	30-50 years
Titanium (Gr2)	Most aggressive conditions	17	Very high	Unlimited	40+ years

 

C70600 vs C68700 (aluminum brass):
C70600 lasts significantly longer in seawater – 25-40 years versus 15-20 years for C68700. C70600 also handles higher water velocity (3.5 m/s vs 2.5 m/s) and resists ammonia attack much better. The trade-off is lower thermal conductivity (45 vs 100 W/m·K) and higher material cost (typically 40-60% more). For critical applications where downtime is expensive, the longer life of C70600 justifies the higher upfront cost.

 

C70600 vs C71500 (70/30 cupronickel):
C71500 has higher nickel content (30% vs 10%), which gives better resistance to very aggressive seawater and higher velocity (4.5 m/s). However, C71500 has even lower thermal conductivity (30 W/m·K) and costs significantly more (30-40% above C70600). For most seawater applications, C70600 is sufficient. C71500 is reserved for extremely aggressive conditions or very high velocities.

 

C70600 vs titanium:
Titanium offers unlimited corrosion resistance in seawater and can handle any velocity. However, titanium has very low thermal conductivity (17 W/m·K), is difficult to fabricate, and costs 3-5 times more than C70600. Titanium is used only for the most demanding applications where no copper alloy is adequate.

 

What is ASTM B111 C70600 copper nickel tube?

It is a 90/10 copper-nickel alloy tube manufactured to ASTM B111 for heat exchanger and condenser applications. It contains 9-11% nickel and 1.0-1.8% iron, which give it excellent resistance to seawater corrosion.

 

What is the difference between C70600 and C71500?

C70600 is 90/10 cupronickel (90% copper, 10% nickel). C71500 is 70/30 cupronickel (70% copper, 30% nickel). C71500 has better corrosion resistance and can handle higher water velocity, but has lower thermal conductivity and higher cost.

 

Can C70600 be used in fresh water?

Yes, but it is not economical. C12200 copper has much higher thermal conductivity and lower cost. Use C70600 only when seawater or brackish water is present.

 

How to bend copper heat exchanger tube in C70600?

Use annealed temper. Minimum bend radius is 3.0 × OD. Mandrel bending is required. Expect springback – over-bend by about 5 degrees. Inspect each bend for cracks.

 

How to weld copper heat exchanger tube in C70600?

TIG weld with ERCuNi filler metal. No preheating required for typical wall thickness. Use argon shield gas. No post-weld heat treatment needed. Clean thoroughly before welding.

 

What is the difference between ASTM B111 and ASME SB111?

ASME SB111 is the ASME code version. Chemistry and dimensions are identical. SB111 requires additional quality assurance and certification for pressure vessel applications. If your shell and tube heat exchanger is ASME stamped, specify SB111.

 

Copper heat exchanger tube vs stainless steel – which is better for seawater?

C70600 (cupronickel) is better than stainless steel for most seawater heat exchanger applications. Stainless steel suffers crevice corrosion in seawater, especially under deposits or at gaskets. Cupronickel does not have this problem.

 

Copper heat exchanger tube vs cupronickel – which lasts longer?

This question is often asked incorrectly – C70600 IS cupronickel. The correct comparison is between C70600 (90/10 cupronickel) and other copper alloys (C12200, C44300, C68700). Cupronickel lasts much longer in seawater than any brass or pure copper.

 

Why use copper in heat exchanger applications involving seawater?

For seawater applications, "copper" means cupronickel alloys (C70600, C71500). These alloys provide the best combination of corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity (relative to titanium or stainless steel), and fabricability for seawater-cooled heat exchangers.

 

What is the life expectancy of C70600 heat exchanger tube?

25-40 years in properly designed and maintained seawater systems. This is significantly longer than brass alloys (10-20 years) and comparable to titanium for many applications.

 

What causes corrosion in C70600 tubes?

Most common cause: galvanic corrosion from coupling with stainless steel or titanium tube sheets. Other causes: sulfide pollution in severely contaminated seawater, sand erosion at high velocity, or low pH below 5.0.

 

How to clean copper heat exchanger tube made of C70600?

Mechanical cleaning with nylon or stainless steel brushes. Chemical cleaning with inhibited sulfamic or citric acid. C70600 is more robust than brass, but still avoid hydrochloric acid and very low pH. For biofouling, chlorination is acceptable at free chlorine below 0.5 ppm.

 

Do you supply C70600 to EN 12451 or JIS H3300?

Yes. EN 12451 designation is CuNi10Fe1Mn. JIS H3300 designation is C7060T. Specify your required standard when ordering.

 

Do you have copper heat exchanger tube for sale in small quantities?

Yes. We support repair and replacement bundles. Minimum quantity depends on stock – typically 100 meters for stock sizes. Contact us with your requirements.

 

What is the maximum recommended water velocity for C70600?

3.5 m/s for clean seawater. Reduce to 2.5 m/s if sand or other abrasives are present. C70600 handles higher velocities than brass alloys (2.0-2.5 m/s limit) due to its excellent erosion-corrosion resistance.

 

Do you provide third-party inspection?

Yes. We can arrange inspection by ABS, DNV, BV, Lloyds, or any other third-party agency at customer expense. Inspection must be specified at time of order.

 

Poor packaging destroys even the best copper heat exchanger tube. As a professional copper heat exchanger tube factory serving copper heat exchanger tube USA, Europe, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India, we follow military-grade export packaging standards to ensure zero damage during sea or air freight.

 

Our Standard Packaging Process:

Packaging Stage	Material / Method	Purpose
Individual Tube Protection	Anti-rust VCI paper + plastic end caps	Prevents moisture, dust, and scratches on copper tube heat exchanger inner surfaces.
Bundling	Nylon straps + wooden spacers	Keeps copper heat exchanger tube OD 19mm, 1 inch, or 5/8 inch sizes organized and vibration-free.
Moisture Barrier	Thick PE film wrap (heat-shrunk)	Blocks humidity during long sea voyages to copper heat exchanger tube Germany or Saudi Arabia.
Outer Packing	Export-grade plywood cases or steel-banded wooden crates	Withstands stacking and rough handling. Each crate labeled with PO number, alloy (e.g., SB111 C70600), and quantity.
Documentation	Packing list + Mill Test Certificate (MTC) attached outside	Customs clearance support for copper heat exchanger tube stockist and distributor partners.

For U-Bundle Orders: U tube heat exchanger and U tube bundle heat exchanger are placed in dedicated steel jigs inside the crate to prevent bending radius distortion.

 

Equipment Type	Specification / Capability	Quality Impact
Horizontal Continuous Casting Line	10-ton capacity	Produces homogeneous copper alloy tube for heat exchanger billets with zero porosity.
Three-Roll Piercing Mill	Up to 60mm OD	Precision wall thickness control for heat exchanger tube wall thickness as low as 0.5mm.
Cold Drawing Bench	5 draws in sequence	Achieves tight tolerances on copper heat exchanger tube length and heat exchanger pipe diameter.
Straightening & Cutting Line	CNC servo-controlled	Burr-free cutting for copper heat exchanger tube 3/4 inch and 1 inch to exact project lengths.
U-Bending Machine	CNC mandrel type	Produces u tube condenser and U tube bundle heat exchanger without kinking or ovality.
Eddy Current Tester	NDT (Non-Destructive Testing)	100% inspection of C70600 tube and C71500 tube for pinholes or cracks per ASTM B111 pdf standards.
Hydrostatic Tester	Up to 200 bar	Validates heat exchanger tube expansion and tube rolling integrity.
Spectrometer	Optical emission (OES)	Confirms chemical composition of ASME SB111, EN 12451, and JIS H3300 grades on every batch.

 

Our Certifications & Compliance:

ASTM B111 pdf and ASME SB111 pdf full traceability.

ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.

Third-party inspection accepted: SGS, BV, Lloyds, or TUV.

Copper heat exchanger tube life expectancy testing reports available upon request.

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