ASTM B111 C71500 Copper Nickel Tubes
What is the C71500 Copper?
Cupronickel or copper-nickel is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater. Because of this, it is used for piping, heat exchangers, and condensers in seawater systems, as well as marine hardware, and sometimes for the propellers, crankshafts, and hulls of premium tugboats, fishing boats, and other working boats.
70 30 copper nickel machinability
The machinability of 70/30 copper-nickel alloy (C71500) is poor, typically rated around 20–30% on a machinability scale where free-cutting brass is 100%. The material is prone to rapid work hardening and produces long, tough, continuous chips that are difficult to break. Successful machining requires sharp carbide tools with positive rake angles, heavy and constant feed rates to avoid dwelling, and abundant coolant-preferably sulfurized or chlorinated cutting oil-to reduce heat, prevent built-up edge, and aid chip evacuation. Rigid setup and proactive chip control are essential to achieve acceptable tool life and surface finish.
standards
ASME SB-111
ASME SB-466
ASTM B-111
ASTM B-466
MIL-T-15005f
MIL-T-16420k Class 200, 700, 1650, 3300, and 6000
C71500 Copper Nickel 70/30, also known as Cupronickel 70/30, is a copper alloy with a composition of approximately 70% copper and 30% nickel, along with trace amounts of other elements.




comparison of C71500 copper with other common copper-nickel alloy grades
| Property / Grade | C71500 (CuNi30) | C70600 (CuNi10) | C72200 (CuNi16Zn) | C71640 (Alloy 725) | Pure Copper (C11000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Name | 70/30 CuNi | 90/10 CuNi | - | 66/30/2/2 CuNi | Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) |
| Nominal Composition | Cu 70%, Ni 30%, Fe 0.5-1.0%, Mn 0.4-1.0% | Cu 88.6%, Ni 10%, Fe 1-1.8%, Mn 0.5-1.0% | Cu 82%, Ni 16%, Zn 0.5-1.0% | Cu 66%, Ni 30%, Cr 2%, Fe 2% | Cu 99.9%, O 0.04% |
| Key Characteristics | Excellent corrosion resistance in seawater, high strength, good ductility, biofouling resistance. | Good corrosion resistance, excellent formability, most common marine alloy. | Good corrosion resistance at lower cost, higher strength than C70600. | Superior corrosion resistance (especially to sulfide), very high strength. | Highest electrical & thermal conductivity, excellent ductility, poor corrosion resistance in seawater. |
| Typical Applications | High-stress marine components, condenser tubes, offshore platforms, seawater piping. | Standard for seawater condenser/heat exchanger tubes, ship hulls, desalination plants. | Heat exchanger tubes (freshwater/brine), plumbing, electrical connectors. | Aggressive environments (polluted/sewage water, high-velocity seawater). | Electrical wiring, busbars, heat sinks, roofing. |
| Relative Cost | High | Moderate | Moderate to High | Very High | Low |
| Corrosion Resistance (in seawater) | Excellent (Best in class) | Very Good | Good | Exceptional (Best overall) | Poor |
FAQ
Q: Can C71500 be used in contact with sulfuric acid?
A: No, C71500 is not suitable for sulfuric acid service. It is primarily designed for neutral to alkaline saline environments. It has poor resistance to oxidizing acids and ammonia.
Q: What are the standard product forms available for C71500?
A: C71500 is commonly available as seamless and welded tubes, pipes, sheets, plates, forgings, and castings to meet various engineering needs.
Q: What is the density of C71500?
A: The density of C71500 is approximately 8.94 g/cm³ (0.323 lb/in³), which is slightly lower than that of pure copper.
Q: How does the cost of C71500 compare to other copper alloys?
A: Due to its high nickel content, C71500 is one of the more expensive copper alloys. It is more costly than C70600 (90/10 CuNi) and significantly more expensive than brass or bronze.
Q: What is the electrical conductivity of C71500?
A: C71500 has low electrical conductivity for a copper-based material, typically around 6.5% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard), meaning it is not suitable for primary electrical conductor applications.
Product Forms We Can Provide
| Product Category | Material Standards | Common Alloys | Key Specifications (Can be Customized) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Tubes | ASTM B75, B88, B280,B111; EN 12449, 12451; DIN EN 12735; JIS H3300 | C10100 (OFE), C11000 (ETP), C12200 (DHP), C23000, C70600,C71500 | OD: 3mm - 300mm Wall Thickness: 0.5mm - 20mm Temper: Soft (O), Half-Hard (H50), Hard (H80) Form: Straight Lengths, Coils, U-Bends |
| Copper Sheets / Plates | ASTM B152, B248, B248M; EN 1652; DIN 1787; JIS H3100, H3250 | C10100 (OFE), C11000, C10200 (OF), C26000, C86200 | Thickness: 0.3mm - 100mm Width: Up to 1200mm Length: Up to 3000mm (or coils) Surface: Mill, Polished, Brushed |
| Copper Rods / Bars | ASTM B187, B301, B411; EN 12163, 12164; DIN 17672; JIS H3250 | C10100 (OFE), C11000, C14500, C36000, C63000 | Diameter/Rect. Size: 3mm - 300mm Shape: Round, Square, Hexagonal, Rectangular Condition: Drawn, Extruded, Hot Rolled |
| Copper Wires | ASTM B1, B2, B3, B258; EN 13601; IEC 60228; JIS H3100 | C10100 (OFE), C11000, C14420, C14500 | Diameter: 0.1mm - 20mm Temper: Soft, Annealed, Hard-Drawn Form: Bare, Tinned, Stranded, on Spools |
| Copper Foils / Strips | ASTM B103, B370; EN 1652; DIN 1787; JIS H3100 | C10100 (OFE), C10200, C11000, C19400, C26800 | Thickness: 0.02mm - 2.0mm Width: Up to 600mm Temper: Rolled, Annealed |
| CNC Machining Parts | As per Customer Drawing/Req. | All Common Copper Alloys (including C10100, C11000, C86200, etc.) | Process: Turning, Milling, Drilling, Tapping Tolerance: ±0.005mm - ±0.1mm Post-Processing: Deburring, Polishing, Plating |
Our factory

Our manufacturing facility operates a comprehensive and modern production line, equipped with advanced continuous casting, precision rolling, high-speed drawing, and multi-axis CNC machining centers, enabling us to process copper and copper alloys (such as C10100, C11000, C12200, C71500,C70600 etc.) into a full range of products including tubes, sheets, rods, wires, and foils. To ensure top-tier quality, we have implemented a rigorous in-process and final inspection system, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment such as spectrometers for material verification, digital tensile testers for mechanical property checks, precision dimensional gauges, and eddy current or ultrasonic testers for defect detection, guaranteeing that every product meets or exceeds international standards such as ASTM, EN, and JIS, as well as specific customer requirements.
Pre-shipment inspection

We provide engineering-grade protective packaging for each and every product. Whether it's heavy copper tubes and plates, or precision rods, wires, and ultra-thin foils, we employ multi-layer composite protection: the inner layer uses scratch-resistant PE film and custom padding for physical isolation and cushioning; the middle layer is treated with moisture-proof sealing and includes desiccants; the outer layer utilizes reinforced wooden crates or high-strength waterproof wrapping film, depending on the shape and weight, for stabilization and protection. This ensures that the products withstand moisture, oxidation, and impact during long-distance sea or land transportation, arriving in perfect condition at your site. In terms of delivery, we commit to efficiency and reliability: standard specification products can be prepared and shipped within 7-15 working days, while customized products will also enter production scheduling promptly. We maintain full transparency throughout the process, allowing you to precisely control timelines and ensure your project proceeds as planned.





