Current Market Price (May 12, 2026)
As of May 12, 2026, LME nickel is approximately $16,800 per ton. Below are our current ex-works prices for common sizes. All prices are FOB factory, USD, standard MTR included.
| Size (OD x wall) | Grade | Price per ton (USD) | Price per foot (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4″ x 14 BWG | C71500 | $11,200 | $4.05 |
| 3/4″ x 13 BWG | C71500 | $12,300 | $5.20 |
| 1″ x 14 BWG | C71500 | $11,000 | $4.80 |
| 1″ x 13 BWG | C71500 | $11,900 | $5.95 |
| 1″ x 12 BWG | C71500 | $13,800 | $7.85 |
| 2″ x SCH 10 | C71500 | $10,800 | $10.10 |
| 2″ x SCH 40 | C71500 | $12,500 | $17.20 |
| 4″ x SCH 10 | C71500 | $10,500 | $32.50 |
| 4″ x SCH 40 | C71500 | $12,200 | $56.00 |
For comparison – ASTM B111 C70600 (90/10) prices on May 12, 2026:
| Size (OD x wall) | Grade | Price per ton (USD) | Price vs C71500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1″ x 14 BWG | C70600 | $9,200 | -16% |
| 1″ x 13 BWG | C70600 | $9,900 | -17% |
| 2″ x SCH 10 | C70600 | $8,900 | -18% |
How Does Nickel Price Affect C71500 Copper Nickel Pipe Cost?
Nickel is the single largest cost component. C71500 contains 29-33% nickel.
When LME nickel price moves, pipe price moves with it. The relationship is not 1:1 because other costs (copper, iron, manufacturing) are fixed.
| LME nickel price per ton | Typical C71500 pipe price impact | Example: 1" 13 BWG per ton |
|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | Baseline | $12,000 |
| $18,000 (+20%) | +8-10% | $13,000 |
| $20,000 (+33%) | +12-15% | $13,600 |
| $12,000 (-20%) | -8-10% | $10,900 |
Why not 1:1? Nickel is 30% of the alloy. Copper (65-70%) also has cost. A 20% nickel price increase raises total material cost by roughly 6%, plus mill passes through some margin.
How Does Wall Thickness Impact C71500 Pipe Pricing?
Thicker walls cost more per ton AND more per foot. The price difference is not linear.
| Wall thickness | Weight per foot (1" OD) | Typical price premium vs 14 BWG |
|---|---|---|
| 14 BWG (0.083″) | 0.36 lbs | Baseline |
| 13 BWG (0.095″) | 0.41 lbs (+14%) | +10-12% |
| 12 BWG (0.109″) | 0.47 lbs (+31%) | +20-25% |
| 11 BWG (0.120″) | 0.51 lbs (+42%) | +30-35% |
| SCH 40 (0.133″ for 1") | 0.57 lbs (+58%) | +40-45% |
Does Order Quantity Change the Price Per Ton for C71500 Pipe?
Yes significantly. Small orders pay 25-40% more per ton than truckload quantities.
| Order size (tons) | Typical price per ton | Premium vs 20+ tons |
|---|---|---|
| 20+ tons (truckload) | Baseline | 0% |
| 10-19 tons | +5-10% | 5-10% |
| 5-9 tons | +10-15% | 10-15% |
| 2-4 tons | +15-20% | 15-20% |
| 1-2 tons | +25-30% | 25-30% |
| Under 1 ton | +35-50% | 35-50% |
Why small orders cost more:
Mill setup time is the same for 1 ton or 20 tons
Smaller runs have higher rejection rates
How Do Surface and End Finish Requirements Affect Price?
Standard mill finish costs less. Special finishes add 5-15%.
| Finish requirement | Typical adder | When needed |
|---|---|---|
| As-manufactured (mill scale, light oil) | Baseline | General piping |
| Pickled and passivated | +5-8% | Heat exchangers, clean service |
| Bright annealed | +10-15% | Decorative or high-purity |
| Plastic end caps + bundling | +2-3% | Export, marine |
| Threaded both ends | +8-12% per end | Flange connections |
| Beveled ends for welding | +3-5% | Butt weld applications |
Does Certification and Documentation Add to C71500 Pipe Cost?
Standard ASTM B111 MTR is included. Additional certifications cost extra.
| Documentation | Cost adder | Typical order size required |
|---|---|---|
| Standard MTR (heat chemistry + tensile) | Included | Any |
| Certified MTR with wet ink signature | +1-2% | Any |
| EN 10204 3.1 certificate | +2-3% | Any |
| Third-party inspection witness (SGS, BV) | +$800-1500 per day | Any (buyer pays) |
| PMI report on each pipe | +3-5% | 2+ tons |
| Ultrasonic test (UT) cert | +4-6% | 5+ tons |
| NACE MR0175 certification | +8-12% | Mill run only |
How Does Lead Time and Urgency Change Pricing?
Standard lead time (8-12 weeks) is cheapest. Rush orders add 15-35%.
| Lead time required | Typical premium | Feasibility |
|---|---|---|
| 12+ weeks (normal mill schedule) | Baseline | Always possible |
| 8-10 weeks | +5-10% | Usually possible |
| 6-8 weeks | +10-15% | Possible in low season |
| 4-6 weeks | +15-25% | Requires expedite fee |
| 2-4 weeks | +25-35% | Stock only, no mill run |
| Under 2 weeks | +35-50% | Only from distributor stock |
FAQ
Q1: Why is your price higher than another supplier's quote?
Ask the other supplier three questions. Do they include end caps and bundling? Is their MTR from a real mill or a trader? Is the price based on current LME nickel or a three-month old rate? We quote real costs. Some suppliers quote low to get the PO then add fees later.
Q2: Can you match a lower price from another mill?
Sometimes, but not if the other quote is below our cost. We do not produce to a loss. If another mill is 20% lower, check if they are using C70600 instead of C71500, or importing from a country with quality issues.
Q3: How long is your price valid?
30 days, assuming LME nickel does not move more than 5%. If nickel jumps 10%, we must adjust. We can lock pricing for 60-90 days on firm orders with a deposit.
Q4: Do you charge extra for cutting pipe to custom lengths?
Yes, for cuts under 10 feet. Random 20 ft lengths have no cut fee. Exact lengths under 10 ft add 5-10% for labor and material loss. We do not charge for cutting 20 ft to two 10 ft pieces.
Q5: What is your payment term and does it affect price?
30% deposit, 70% before shipment for first orders. We offer 30/70 against B/L copy after three successful orders. No net-30 terms for pipe. Cash terms get our best price. Extended payment terms add 3-5%.
Q6: Is ASTM B111 C70600 copper nickel pipe always cheaper than C71500?
Yes, typically 15-20% less per ton. Lower nickel content and higher mill volume make C70600 cheaper. But if your application needs C71500's higher strength or erosion resistance, switching to C70600 to save cost may cause premature failure.
Q7: Why does the price per ton go up for very small diameters (under 1/2″)?
Lower mill productivity. Small diameters run slower on the mill. Same setup time, fewer feet per hour. Expect 15-25% premium for OD under 1/2″ compared to 1″.
