Nibron Special has a nominal composition of 14.5% nickel, 3% aluminium, 1.5% iron and 0.3% manganese, with the balance copper. Upper limits are also defined for several trace elements. It is a trademark of Columbia Metals Ltd for a high-strength copper-nickel-aluminium alloy, closely related to the German Werkstoff number DIN 2.1504.

The first commercial aluminium-containing Cu-Ni alloy was developed by Langley Alloys in the 1940s as Hidurax Special (Cu-15Ni-3Al), to meet a naval requirement for a high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy. It was later renamed Hiduron® 130 and given the designations DIN 2.1504, UNS C72400 and the supply code DTD 900/4805.

Strength in context

This grade was the highest-strength copper-based alloy for many years. Copper-beryllium alloys can reach higher strengths, but beryllium carries health and safety issues in processing. More recently, copper-nickel-tin 'spinodal' alloys have exceeded the strength of Hiduron® 130 under certain conditions.

Copper-based alloys naturally resist fouling and offer excellent corrosion resistance in seawater and other environments, which suits them to subsea use. Hiduron® 130 is widely used in connectors and couplings, valves and other subsea components.

Composition

The full composition for Nibron Special, Hiduron® 130 and DIN 2.1504 is shown below.

Composition, weight %
Element Nibron Special Hiduron® 130 DIN 2.1504
Al 2.00-4.00 2.00-3.00 2.00-3.00
Iron 0.50-2.50 0.60-1.50 1.50 max
Nickel 13.00-16.00 13.00-16.00 13.00-16.00
Manganese 0.10-0.50 0.10-1.00 1.00 max
Chromium 0.30 max 0.50 max
Niobium
Lead 0.05 max 0.05 max
Tin 0.02 max 0.20 max
Zinc 0.30 max 0.30 max
Silicon 0.25 max 0.10 max 0.30 max
Magnesium 0.10 max 0.10 max
Sulphur 0.15 max
Carbon 0.05 max
Phosphorus 0.01 max
Copper Remainder Remainder Remainder
Impurities (ex.Zn) 0.30 max 0.50 max
Impurities (inc.Zn) 0.50 max

We supply Hiduron® 130 as round bars from ½" to 8" (12.7-203.2mm) diameter, and as bespoke forgings and blocks.