Copper-nickel alloys, also known as cupronickels, are the most widely accepted high-strength option among copper alloys. Adding nickel to pure copper increases strength and corrosion resistance while retaining copper's ductility under heat and pressure, which makes them an excellent choice for pipe systems.
Strength is not their only advantage. Cupronickels also offer excellent resistance to water, which suits underwater power generation and commercial shipping. They keep the non-galling, non-fouling properties of copper, but with several times greater yield strength.
Other common uses include:
- Hulls for boats
- Desalination plants, including brine heaters and heat rejection
- Offshore oil and gas platforms and processors
Despite the presence of copper, cupronickels are uniformly silver in colour because of the nickel component's high electronegativity.
Hiduron® 130 (DTD 498/500, 2.1504) is our highest-strength copper-nickel, widely used for sub-sea connectors, valve components, fasteners and stab plates.