ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 Seamless Condenser Tubing
GNEE supplies ASTM B111 UNS C70600 seamless copper-nickel tubing specifically designed for use in surface condensers, evaporators, and heat exchangers.
ASTM B111 C70600 is also known as "CuNi 90/10" or "copper-nickel, 10%" , indicating the nominal composition of 90% copper and 10% nickel. It usually exhibits a soft lavender or light purple metal luster, sometimes called "white copper" .
Key Properties: Excellent corrosion & erosion resistance and biofouling resistance in seawater.
Despite challenges from titanium alloys and duplex stainless steels, ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 condenser tubes remain widely used in:
Seawater desalination industry
Marine engineering
Shipbuilding
Power plants
Petrochemical industries
Advantage over competitors: Superior thermal conductivity and excellent workability.
Chemical Composition of ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 Tubing
| Element | Weight Percent (%) |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | Remainder (includes silver) |
| Nickel (Ni) | 9.0 – 11.0 (includes cobalt) |
| Iron (Fe) | 1.0 – 1.8 |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.00 |
Note: When all elements are analyzed, copper plus named elements shall be no less than 99.5% .
Mechanical Properties of ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 Tubing
| Temper Designation | Condition | Tensile Strength min. (MPa [ksi]) | Yield Strength min. (MPa [ksi]) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O61 | Annealed | 275 [40] | 105 [15] |
| H55 | Light-Drawn | 310 [45] | 240 [35] |
International Equivalent Grades for ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 Tubing
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ASTM B111 (USA) | UNS C70600 |
| Chinese Standard | BFe10-1-1 |
| British Standard (BS 2871-2) | CN102 |
| German Standard (DIN 86019) | CuNi10Fe1.6Mn (2.1972) |
| European Standard (EN 12449) | CuNi10Fe1Mn (CW352H) |
| Japanese Standard (JIS H) | C7060, CNP1 |
| EEMUA | UNS 7060X |
Manufacture & Heat Treatment of ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 Tubing
ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 seamless tubing may be supplied in two tempers at the purchaser's discretion:
Production Process:
Melting and ingot casting
Tube shells produced by extruding or piercing copper billets
Seamless tubing formation
Heat Treatment Options:
| Temper | Process | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| O61 (Annealed) | Bright annealing treatment | Softened, increased ductility and toughness |
| H55 (Light-Drawn) | Annealed + slight cold working (light-drawing) | Stronger than annealed temper |
Inspection & Tests for ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 Condenser Tubing
GNEE ensures all ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing undergoes the following inspections and tests:
| Test/Inspection | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Grain size determination | Verify proper metallurgical structure |
| Expansion test | Assess ability to expand without rupture |
| Flattening test | Assess ability to flatten without cracking |
| Residual stress test | Detect harmful residual stresses (optional) |
| Eddy current test | Detect surface and subsurface flaws |
| Hydrostatic test | Verify pressure integrity |
| Dimensional inspection | Check diameter, wall thickness, length, end cut |
| Visual examination | Detect surface defects |
Key Applications of ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 Tubing
| Industry | Specific Application |
|---|---|
| Desalination | Seawater desalination plants |
| Marine engineering | Seawater cooling systems |
| Shipbuilding | Heat exchangers, condensers |
| Power generation | Power plant condensers |
| Petrochemical | Refinery heat exchangers |
ASTM B111 C70600 vs. Other Seawater Tube Materials
| Property | ASTM B111 C70600 (90/10 CuNi) | Titanium Alloys | Duplex Stainless Steels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity | Superior | Lower | Lower |
| Workability | Excellent | Poor | Moderate |
| Seawater corrosion resistance | Excellent | Superior | Good |
| Biofouling resistance | Excellent | Poor | Moderate |
| Cost | Moderate | Very high | High |
| Typical application | General seawater cooling | Aggressive seawater | High-strength seawater |
Advantages of ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 Tubing
Excellent corrosion & erosion resistance in seawater
Superior biofouling resistance – reduces cleaning frequency
High thermal conductivity – efficient heat transfer
Excellent workability – easy to fabricate and install
Proven track record – decades of reliable service in marine environments
Cost-effective – lower cost than titanium or duplex stainless for many applications
FAQ
Q1: What is the chemical composition difference between ASTM B111 C70600 (90/10) and ASTM B111 C71500 (70/30) copper-nickel tubing?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 (90/10) tubing contains 9.0-11.0% nickel and remainder copper, while ASTM B111 C71500 (70/30) tubing contains approximately 30% nickel. C70600 offers higher thermal conductivity; C71500 provides higher strength for high-velocity seawater.
Q2: What are the European equivalent grades for ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing?
A: The main European equivalent is EN 12449 CuNi10Fe1Mn (CW352H) . The German standard equivalent is DIN 86019 CuNi10Fe1.6Mn (2.1972) .
Q3: What are the two tempers available for ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 seamless tubing?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 tubing is available in annealed temper (O61) – softened with high ductility, or light-drawn temper (H55) – stronger due to slight cold working after annealing.
Q4: What tests are required for ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 condenser tubing?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 tubing requires grain size determination, expansion test, flattening test, eddy current test, hydrostatic test, dimensional inspection, and visual examination. Residual stress testing is optional.
Q5: Why is ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing preferred over titanium for many seawater applications?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 tubing offers superior thermal conductivity and excellent workability compared to titanium, at a much lower cost. Titanium is only preferred for extremely aggressive seawater conditions.
Q6: What is the nominal composition of ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 tubing has a nominal composition of 90% copper and 10% nickel, with approximately 1.0-1.8% iron and small amounts of manganese, zinc, and lead.
Q7: Where is ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing commonly installed?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 tubing is commonly installed in surface condensers, evaporators, heat exchangers in desalination plants, marine engineering, shipbuilding, power plants, and petrochemical facilities.
Q8: How is the annealed temper (O61) of ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing produced?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 O61 temper tubing is produced by bright annealing treatment after seamless tube formation, which softens the material and increases ductility and toughness.
Q9: What is the difference between ASTM B111 C70600 tube and ASTM B111 C70600 pipe?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 tube is typically used for heat transfer applications (condensers, heat exchangers) with stricter dimensional tolerances, while pipe is generally used for fluid transport. GNEE specializes in condenser-grade tubing.
Q10: Is ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing resistant to biofouling?
A: Yes, ASTM B111 C70600 tubing exhibits excellent biofouling resistance in seawater, meaning marine organisms like barnacles and mussels do not readily attach, reducing maintenance costs.
Q11: What is the Chinese equivalent grade for ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing?
A: The Chinese equivalent grade for ASTM B111 C70600 tubing is BFe10-1-1 according to Chinese national standards.
Q12: How does the light-drawn temper H55 of ASTM B111 C70600 CuNi 90/10 tubing differ from annealed temper O61?
A: ASTM B111 C70600 H55 (light-drawn) tubing has higher tensile strength (310 MPa vs. 275 MPa) and higher yield strength (240 MPa vs. 105 MPa) compared to O61 annealed temper, making it stronger but less ductile.
Export-Grade Packaging for C70600 Tubes
To protect tubes from oxidation, scratching, and moisture during sea or air freight, we use professional packaging methods:
Plastic end caps on both ends
PE foam or shrink wrap for surface protection
Woven bags or wooden spools for straight tubes
Coiled tubes packed with anti-rust paper + stretch film
Fumigation-free wooden crates or pallets for bulk orders
Custom labeling (size, heat no., customer logo) and bundling options available.
Advanced Manufacturing Equipment for C70600 Tubes
Our factory is equipped with modern machinery dedicated to copper alloy tube production:
Horizontal continuous casting furnace for quality billets
Reverse extrusion press (2500T) for seamless tube forming
Cold pilger mills & triple-draw benches for precision sizing
In-line annealing furnace for consistent mechanical properties
Pickling & cleaning line for surface finish
CNC straightening & cutting machines for custom lengths
Inspection lab: Spectrometer, universal tester, eddy current flaw detector, hardness tester
Monthly tube production capacity: over 200 tons
Product Range – Copper & Copper Alloy Products
| Product Form | Common Grades | Common Standards | Size Range | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubes / Pipes | C10100, C11000, C12200, C70600, C71500, C44300, C68700 | ASTM B75, B68, B111, B466, B467, EN 12449, ASME SB111 | OD: 3–500 mm WT: 0.3–20 mm Straight or coil | Heat exchangers, condensers, seawater piping, HVAC, plumbing, instrumentation |
| Plates / Sheets | C11000, C12200, C70600, C71500, C26000, C27200 | ASTM B152, B171, B402, EN 1652, ASME SB152 | Thk: 0.3–100 mm Width: ≤ 1200 mm Length: ≤ 4000 mm | Roofing, busbars, gaskets, marine cladding, chemical vessels, transformer components |
| Rods / Bars | C11000, C36000, C38500, C70600, C71500, C23000 | ASTM B16, B124, B151, EN 12164, ASME SB16 | Dia: 3–300 mm Round / hex / square / rectangular | Valve stems, pump shafts, fasteners, machined parts, electrical connectors, watch components |
| Wires | C11000, C70600, C71500, C26000, C51000 | ASTM B1, B2, B3, B206, EN 12166 | Dia: 0.1–12 mm Coil or spool | Welding filler wire, electrical wiring, mesh, springs, fasteners, jewelry |
| Strips | C11000, C26000, C27200, C70600, C52100 | ASTM B36, B465, B888, EN 1654, JIS H3100 | Thk: 0.05–5 mm Width: 5–400 mm | Stamping parts, terminals, shielding, spring contacts, battery connectors, automotive components |
