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Copper-nickel alloys (white copper) are non-ferrous metal alloys with copper as the base material and nickel as the main additive element. Nickel can form an infinitely miscible solid solution with copper, which gives copper-nickel alloys a series of excellent properties.
They are a class of high-performance, widely used advanced engineering materials. They perfectly combine a beautiful silvery-white appearance with strong functionality (especially resistance to seawater corrosion), making them play an irreplaceable role in various fields, from heavy industry (such as shipbuilding) to high technology and everyday life.
We offer a variety of cupronickel products, including wire, rods, and plates. Each product is designed to meet specific performance requirements. Our product range includes:
Copper-nickel alloys Wire: Cupronickel wire is a type of wire made from cupronickel (mainly a copper-nickel alloy, especially zinc-nickel) through processes such as drawing. It inherits a range of excellent properties of cupronickel and is used in numerous fields in its specific wire form.
Copper-nickel alloys Rods: These are rod-shaped materials made from cupronickel (mainly a copper-nickel alloy) through processes such as continuous casting, extrusion, or hot rolling. They are an important profile of cupronickel, providing the foundation for subsequent machining and manufacturing.
There are various grades of cupronickel alloys, each with its own specific properties and elemental composition:
C71000: Copper: ~95%, Nickel (Ni): ~5%. Balanced performance and cost-effective. A very good balance is achieved between corrosion resistance, strength, processability, and cost. Therefore, C71000 is a reliable and economical choice in a wide range of fields, from coin manufacturing to marine fittings, from electronic connections to chemical equipment.
C75200 (BZn18-18): Nickel: 16.5% ~ 19.5%. Zinc: 16.5% ~ 19.5%. It has an attractive appearance, high strength and hardness, excellent corrosion resistance, is easy to weld, braze, and polish, and has good elasticity.
BZn15-20 (C75400): Nickel: approximately 15%, Zinc: approximately 20%, is a high-strength, high-hardness, and lower-cost zinc-copper alloy. It is a very economical and practical choice when your application prioritizes mechanical properties (such as strength and abrasion resistance) over aesthetics and top-tier corrosion resistance.
The properties of zinc cupronickel can vary significantly depending on its specific composition (especially the ratio of nickel to zinc) and processing state (such as annealed or hardened state).
Density: Approximately 8.5 - 8.7 g/cm³.
Thermal conductivity: Approximately 20 - 40 W/(m·K).
Mechanical properties are extremely sensitive to the material's processing state (annealed, semi-hard, fully hardened), and vary greatly.
The silvery-white appearance and good polishability meet aesthetic requirements, while high strength and excellent corrosion resistance ensure the product's durability.
The core advantage of this copper-nickel alloy lies in its excellent resistance to seawater corrosion.
Marine and Marine Engineering: Condenser tubes, heat exchanger tubes, desalination plant piping systems, marine seawater pipelines, pumps, valves, and fittings.
Chemical and Energy Industries: Used in the manufacture of containers, pipes, and heat exchangers for handling salts, organic compounds, and steam.
Condenser tubes for thermal power plants.
The core advantages of this type of white copper are its beautiful silvery-white color, high strength, high elasticity, and good machinability. It is the most common type of white copper encountered in daily life.
Electronics and Electrical Industry: Connectors, terminals, lead frames, crystal oscillator housings, relay springs, etc.
Fashion and Decorative Items: Eyeglass frames (especially temples and hinges), zippers, jewelry, watch cases, trademarks, musical instrument nozzles, etc.
Coinage and Medals: Widely used in the manufacture of coins and medals with a silvery appearance.
Precision Machinery: Springs, precision instrument parts, medical devices, etc.
Q: Are cupronickel and zinc cupronickel the same thing?
A: Not entirely; they are related by category. Cupronickel is a broad category encompassing all alloys with copper as the base and nickel as the primary alloying element.
Zinc cupronickel is the most important and common branch of cupronickel. It adds zinc to the copper-nickel base and is often referred to as "nickel silver."
Simply put: all zinc cupronickel is cupronickel, but not all cupronickel is zinc cupronickel. For example, B30 cupronickel used in shipbuilding does not contain zinc and is classified as ordinary cupronickel.
Q: Why is zinc-copper alloy also called "nickel silver"? Does it contain silver?
A: Absolutely not silver. The name "nickel silver" comes from its appearance—it has a beautiful silvery-white luster, a color that comes from the element nickel. This name is for commercial and descriptive purposes, but it is easily misunderstood.
Q: What's the difference between BZn18-18 and BZn15-20? How should I choose?
A:
BZn18-18: Higher nickel content (~18%), resulting in better corrosion resistance, a color closer to pure silver, and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. However, it is more expensive. It's commonly used in high-end eyeglass frames, jewelry, electronic connectors, and other products where appearance and corrosion resistance are crucial.
BZn15-20: Higher zinc content (~20%), resulting in higher strength and hardness, and a lower cost. However, its corrosion resistance and appearance are slightly inferior. It's commonly used in springs, eyeglass hinges, zippers, wear-resistant parts, and other applications requiring higher mechanical properties.
For aesthetics and corrosion resistance, choose BZn18-18; for strength and lower cost, choose BZn15-20.
DECOPPER produces high-quality white copper and white copper wire, ideal for use in electrical, chemical, and industrial applications. White copper offers excellent corrosion resistance and high conductivity, making it a preferred material for electrical connections, heat exchangers, and corrosion-resistant components in demanding environments.
Interested in exploring our cupronickel products? Browse our catalog or contact us to discuss your specific needs. Our team is ready to help you find the perfect alloy for your project.
