Copper Nickel Heat Exchanger Tube (C70600/C71500)

Gnee Steel (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional manufacturers and suppliers of copper nickel heat exchanger tube (c70600/c71500) in China, specialized in providing high quality copper products with competitive price. Welcome to buy discount copper nickel heat exchanger tube (c70600/c71500) for sale here from our factory. Customized orders are welcome.

 

In marine engineering and offshore oil and gas sectors, the relentless nature of seawater corrosion demands materials that go beyond standard alloys. Copper nickel heat exchanger tube solutions, specifically C70600 (90/10) and C71500 (70/30), have become the industry benchmark for durability and thermal efficiency. As specialized copper nickel heat exchanger tube manufacturers, we produce seamless tubing designed to form a natural protective oxide film, ensuring long-term reliability in high-velocity seawater environments.

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The two most common copper nickel heat exchanger tube alloys are C70600 (90/10) and C71500 (70/30). The table below shows the differences to help you select the right alloy for your shell and tube heat exchanger.

Property	C70600 (90/10 Cu-Ni)	C71500 (70/30 Cu-Ni)
Nominal Composition	90% Copper, 10% Nickel, 1.4% Iron, 0.8% Manganese	70% Copper, 30% Nickel, 0.5% Iron, 0.5% Manganese
Tensile Strength (min)	45,000 psi (310 MPa)	60,000 psi (415 MPa)
Yield Strength (min)	15,000 psi (105 MPa)	25,000 psi (170 MPa)
Thermal Conductivity	29 BTU/(hr·ft·°F) (50 W/m·K)	17 BTU/(hr·ft·°F) (29 W/m·K)
Seawater Velocity Limit	Up to 3.5 m/s (11.5 ft/s)	Up to 4.5 m/s (15 ft/s)
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent for general seawater	Superior for high-velocity, sour, or polluted seawater
Relative Cost	Medium-High	Highest
Best Application	heat exchanger condenser, shell tube evaporator on vessels, offshore platforms	Power plant condensers, heat exchanger boiler with high-temperature seawater, sour gas service

 

When to choose C70600:

General seawater cooling on ships and offshore platforms

copper heat exchanger tube vs cupronickel – C70600 is the standard answer for most marine duties

Budget-conscious projects that still need excellent corrosion resistance

 

When to choose C71500:

High-velocity seawater above 3.5 m/s

Polluted or brackish seawater with hydrogen sulfide

High-temperature shell and tube heat exchanger applications (above 120°C / 250°F)

Sour gas or ammonia service where copper heat exchanger tube corrosion is a known risk

Applications requiring maximum copper heat exchanger tube life expectancy (30+ years)

 

For a detailed copper heat exchanger tube vs stainless steel comparison in seawater, C70600 and C71500 outperform most stainless grades in resistance to crevice corrosion and pitting.

Send Your Seawater Conditions

 

Excellent erosion corrosion resistance

Seawater at velocities above 1.5 m/s erodes C12200 and C44300. C70600 tube handles up to 3.5 m/s. C71500 tube handles up to 4.5 m/s. This means smaller heat exchanger pipe diameter and higher heat transfer coefficients.

 

Natural biofouling resistance

Copper nickel surfaces release copper ions that prevent barnacle and mussel attachment. A copper nickel heat exchanger tube bundle requires less frequent cleaning than stainless steel or titanium.

 

Good fabricability

C70600 and C71500 can be bent into u tube heat exchanger configurations, rolled into tube sheets, and expanded using standard heat exchanger tube expansion equipment.

 

Proven life expectancy

Copper heat exchanger tube life expectancy for C70600 in clean seawater is 20 to 30 years. For C71500, expect 30+ years. Many naval vessels operate copper nickel heat exchanger tube bundles for 40 years with proper water chemistry.

 

Common applications for copper nickel heat exchanger tube:

heat exchanger condenser on ships, submarines, and offshore platforms

shell tube evaporator in desalination plants

u tube condenser in power plants

heat exchanger hvac on marine vessels

heat exchanger boiler feedwater heaters

shell and tube heat exchanger in chemical plants processing corrosive fluids

 

We supply C70600 and C71500 not just as bare straight tubes, but as finished components ready for installation into your shell and tube heat exchanger. Below is our complete offering.

Bare Straight Copper Nickel Tubes

Parameter	C70600 (90/10)	C71500 (70/30)	Common Application
OD – 5/8 inch (15.88mm)	In stock	Made to order	Marine heat exchanger hvac, heat exchanger car coolers
OD – 3/4 inch (19.05mm)	In stock	Limited stock	copper heat exchanger tube od 19mm – most common for marine condensers
OD – 1 inch (25.4mm)	In stock	Made to order	shell tube evaporator, power plant u tube condenser
OD – 1.25 inch (31.75mm)	Made to order	Made to order	Large shell and tube heat exchanger
OD – 1.5 inch (38.1mm)	Made to order	Made to order	High-flow seawater systems
Wall Thickness	0.7mm – 3.0mm	0.7mm – 3.0mm	Thicker walls for high erosion risk
Length	1m – 30m	1m – 30m	Standard 6m stock; cut to exact length available
Tolerance (OD)	±0.05mm	±0.05mm	Meets ASTM B111 pdf requirements

 

U Bend Copper Nickel Tubes

We manufacture u tube heat exchanger components in C70600 and C71500 on CNC mandrel benders to ensure consistent radius, no ovality, and no internal scoring.

 

Parameter	C70600 (90/10)	C71500 (70/30)
OD – 5/8 inch (15.88mm)	In stock	Made to order
OD – 3/4 inch (19.05mm)	In stock	Limited stock
OD – 1 inch (25.4mm)	In stock	Made to order
OD – 1.25 inch (31.75mm)	Made to order	Made to order
OD – 1.5 inch (38.1mm)	Made to order	Made to order
Wall Thickness	0.7mm – 2.5mm	0.8mm – 2.5mm
Minimum Bend Radius (Centerline)	1.5 x OD	2.0 x OD
Leg Length (Straight Portion)	500mm – 12,000mm	500mm – 12,000mm
Bend Angle	180° (standard U)	180° (standard U)
Tangent Length (After Bend)	25mm – 100mm	25mm – 100mm

 

Standard U Bend Radii for Common OD (C70600):

Tube OD	Minimum CLR (Centerline Radius)	Standard Stock CLR
5/8 inch (15.88mm)	23.8mm (1.5 x OD)	25mm, 30mm, 38mm
3/4 inch (19.05mm)	28.6mm (1.5 x OD)	30mm, 38mm, 45mm
1 inch (25.4mm)	38.1mm (1.5 x OD)	40mm, 50mm, 60mm
1.25 inch (31.75mm)	47.6mm (1.5 x OD)	50mm, 60mm, 75mm
1.5 inch (38.1mm)	57.2mm (1.5 x OD)	60mm, 75mm, 90mm

 

For C71500, multiply the above radii by 1.33 (minimum 2.0 x OD).

 

U Bend Tube Options:

Same leg length – both legs equal (most common for u tube bundle heat exchanger)

Unequal leg length – for specific tube sheet layouts

Long tangent – extended straight section after the bend for heat exchanger tube rolling into a second tube sheet

Short tangent – minimal straight section for compact u tube condenser designs

 

U Bend Quality Specifications:

Ovality after bending: Less than 5% of OD

Wall thinning at bend apex: Less than 10% of nominal wall thickness

Surface finish: No cracks, scoring, or ripples visible under 10x magnification

Stress relief annealing: Available upon request for copper heat exchanger tube corrosion prevention in ammonia or sour service

 

Pre-Fabricated Copper Nickel Tube Bundles

We assemble your C70600 tube or C71500 tube into complete bundles ready for insertion into your existing shell.

Bundle Type	Description	Typical Application
U Tube Bundle	U tube heat exchanger and u tube bundle heat exchanger with CNC mandrel bends. Minimum bend radius 1.5 x OD for C70600, 2.0 x OD for C71500.	Marine heat exchanger condenser, u tube condenser on vessels
Straight Tube Bundle	Straight copper nickel heat exchanger tube with both ends prepared for heat exchanger tube rolling.	Shell and tube heat exchanger with removable bundle
Finned Tube Bundle	Copper finned tube for heat exchanger with integral low fins or high fins in C70600 or C71500.	Air-cooled heat exchanger hvac, heat exchanger air systems in marine environments
Shell Tube Evaporator Bundle	Specialized bundle with enhanced surface tubes for boiling duty.	Shell tube evaporator in refrigeration or desalination

 

Copper Nickel Finned Tubes

For applications where the shell-side fluid is air or gas, we offer copper finned tube for heat exchanger in C70600 and C71500.

Fin Type	Base Tube OD	Fin Density	Application
Integral Low Fin (L-Type)	5/8", 3/4", 1"	16 – 40 fins/inch	Seawater-cooled heat exchanger hvac, heat exchanger condenser
High Fin (Extruded)	3/4", 1"	8 – 11 fins/inch	Air-cooled shell and tube heat exchanger on offshore platforms
Enhanced Surface (E-Type)	5/8", 3/4"	26 – 52 fins/inch	Flooded shell tube evaporator with seawater shell side

Note: Finned tubes in C71500 are available but require longer lead times due to the higher strength of the alloy.

 

Copper Nickel Fittings and Tube Sheet Components

A copper nickel heat exchanger tube is only as reliable as its connections. We supply matching components for complete shell and tube heat exchanger assembly.

Component	Material Options	Description
Tube Sheet	C70600, C71500, Naval Brass, Aluminum Bronze	Drilled to your tube pitch and layout. Compatible with heat exchanger tube expansion and tube rolling.
U-Bend Supports	C70600 or Stainless Steel 316L	Prevents tube vibration in u tube bundle heat exchanger assemblies.
Sacrificial Anodes	Aluminum or Zinc	Attached to tube sheet to prevent copper heat exchanger tube corrosion in severe seawater service.
End Caps and Ferrules	C70600	Protects tube ends from erosion corrosion at high-velocity inlets.
Baffle Plates	C70600 or Naval Brass	Supports tubes and directs shell-side flow in shell and tube heat exchanger.
Sealing Gaskets	EPDM, Viton, or Neoprene	For tube-to-tube sheet seals in double tube sheet designs.

How to bend copper nickel heat exchanger tube

Copper nickel alloys require more force to bend than C12200. Use a mandrel bender with a minimum bend radius of 1.5 x OD for C70600 and 2.0 x OD for C71500. For a u tube heat exchanger, we recommend factory bending rather than field bending.

 

How to weld copper nickel heat exchanger tube

For how to weld copper heat exchanger tube in C70600 or C71500:

Use CuNi filler metal (ERCuNi for C70600, ERCuNi-2 for C71500)

TIG welding with argon purge

Preheat not required but interpass temperature should stay below 150°C (300°F)

Post-weld heat treatment is not necessary

Brazing is also possible with BCuP-5 filler, but welded joints are stronger for high-pressure shell and tube heat exchanger applications.

 

Heat exchanger tube rolling and expansion

C70600 tube and C71500 tube roll and expand similarly to other copper alloys. Use a rolling torque calculator specific to copper nickel. The higher strength of C71500 requires approximately 20-30% more rolling torque than C70600.

 

Heat exchanger tube sheet design

For copper nickel heat exchanger tube, the tube sheet should be naval brass, aluminum bronze, or copper nickel to avoid galvanic corrosion. Avoid stainless steel or carbon steel tube sheets with copper nickel tubes.

 

How to clean copper heat exchanger tube made of copper nickel requires care to preserve the protective oxide layer.

 

Chemical cleaning:

Use inhibited citric acid or sulfamic acid for scale removal

Never use hydrochloric acid – it attacks copper nickel

For biofouling, use chlorine dioxide or chlorination at controlled levels (below 0.5 ppm residual)

 

Mechanical cleaning:

Use nylon brushes or rubber-bullet cleaning systems

Never use steel brushes or metal scrapers – they remove the protective film

For how to clean copper heat exchanger tube bundles with u tube heat exchanger geometry, use specially designed flexible shaft brushes

 

Preventive measures:

Maintain seawater velocity above 1.5 m/s to prevent sediment settling

Avoid velocity below 0.5 m/s which allows biofouling attachment

For copper heat exchanger tube corrosion monitoring, install corrosion coupons in the system

 

Copper heat exchanger tube life expectancy for C70600 in well-maintained seawater service is 20 to 30 years. For C71500, expect 30+ years.

 

What is a copper nickel heat exchanger tube?

A copper nickel heat exchanger tube is a seamless tube made from copper-nickel alloys, typically C70600 (90/10) or C71500 (70/30). It is specifically designed for shell and tube heat exchanger, heat exchanger condenser, and shell tube evaporator applications in seawater and corrosive environments.

 

What is the difference between C70600 and C71500?

C70600 contains 90% copper and 10% nickel. C71500 contains 70% copper and 30% nickel. C71500 has higher strength, higher erosion resistance (up to 4.5 m/s vs 3.5 m/s), and longer copper heat exchanger tube life expectancy, but lower thermal conductivity and higher copper heat exchanger tube price.

 

Why use copper nickel instead of stainless steel for seawater?

In the copper heat exchanger tube vs stainless steel comparison for seawater, copper nickel offers:

Better resistance to crevice corrosion

Natural biofouling resistance (stainless steel fouls)

No chloride stress corrosion cracking

Easier heat exchanger tube rolling and expansion

 

Do you have C70600 tube for sale in 3/4 inch?

Yes. Copper heat exchanger tube 3/4 inch (19.05mm) in C70600 is one of our most popular sizes. Copper heat exchanger tube od 19mm in C70600 is stocked for marine heat exchanger hvac and u tube condenser applications.

 

What causes copper heat exchanger tube corrosion in copper nickel?

Copper heat exchanger tube corrosion in C70600 or C71500 is rare but can occur from:

Erosion corrosion – velocity above 4.5 m/s (C71500) or 3.5 m/s (C70600)

Hydrogen sulfide – polluted seawater

Galvanic corrosion – connection to more noble metals (titanium, graphite)

 

Do you provide ASTM B111 pdf for copper nickel tubes?

Yes. Request ASTM B111 pdf or ASME SB111 pdf from our team. We also provide EN 12451 and JIS H3300 certification.

 

Can you supply u tube bundle heat exchanger in C70600 or C71500?

Yes. We manufacture complete u tube heat exchanger and u tube bundle heat exchanger assemblies in C70600 tube and C71500 tube. Send your tube sheet drawing for a quote.

 

Is SB111 C70600 the same as ASTM B111 C70600?

Yes. SB111 C70600 is the ASME Boiler Code designation. ASTM B111 C70600 is the ASTM designation. The chemistry and mechanical requirements are identical. For heat exchanger boiler applications requiring ASME stamping, specify SB111 C70600.

 

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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