Wednesday, January 16, 2013

How Marine Industry Benefits From Copper Nickel Alloys

By Kate Perez


Copper Nickel alloy is ductile and resistant to corrosion and biofouling. A few amount of iron and manganese are often added to CuNi alloys to strengthen marine products and optimise the alloy's resistant to corrosion. Because of these attributes, CuNi alloys are widely used in several marine applications such as offshore fire water system, heat exchangers and condensers, hydraulic lines, sheathing of legs and risers on offshore platforms, desalination units and many more.

Marine products are subject to harsh conditions and thus it's crucial for ship builders and marine engineers to seriously consider the quality and type of materials to be used. After years of research and study, numerous CuNi alloys are set as the standard materials for marine building industry.

When CuNi was first developed during the 1920s this type of alloy was composed of 70% copper and 30% nickel. A few years after, researchers and engineers added 2% iron and 2% manganese to the mixture. This type of alloy is more resistant to corrosion, which is perfect for building piping systems that are submerged in seawater. Today, these two main alloys are widely used in the industry. The 70/30 CuNi alloy is more resistant to corrosion, while the 90/10 alloy is less expensive and can be used in most marine applications.

To be able to achieve the optimum performance of CuNi, a great amount of consideration should be given to the composition of alloys, not to mention the fact that each should be in accordance with the world standard. The piping system must not be exposed to turbulences and pollution and must not go over the limits of accepted velocities. This can only be realised if the piping system is thoroughly planned and proficiently laid out from the very start.

This alloy can only be made by people with the right skills and knowledge in this field. If you're planning to hire a company to manufacture or install your piping system for you, then look for marine engineering companies that are regarded well in local and international community. Hiring these professionals for fabrication and pipe laying installations will help you save money, ensure security, and get peace of mind.




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