NickelKupfer

NickelKupfer, also known as cupronickel, is a copper–nickel alloy and a family of materials chosen for its corrosion resistance and workability. Commercial grades typically contain about 10 to 30 percent nickel by weight, with the remainder copper, and may include small additions of iron and manganese to improve strength and microstructure. Common grades include roughly 70Cu-30Ni, 80Cu-20Ni, and 90Cu-10Ni.

Properties of nickel–copper alloys include excellent resistance to seawater corrosion and biofouling, good ductility, and notable wear resistance. They are generally non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic, and their electrical and thermal conductivities are lower than those of pure copper, depending on the nickel content. The alloys are readily formed by rolling, extruding, or drawing and are often annealed to relieve work hardening and adjust mechanical properties.

Manufacturing of NickelKupfer involves melting and alloying copper with nickel, followed by casting or hot working into bars, sheets, tubes, or other shapes. Further processing includes hot and cold rolling, annealing, and surface finishing such as polishing or plating to achieve the desired appearance and corrosion resistance.

Applications of cupronickel span marine, chemical, and architectural fields. It is widely used in marine engineering for components such as valves, heat exchangers, and desalination equipment due to its seawater stability. It also appears in coinage and medals in various countries and in architectural fittings and corrosion-prone hardware.

History and overview: cupronickel was developed in the late 19th to early 20th century as a corrosion-resistant alternative to pure copper. Its combination of ductility, strength, and resistance to harsh environments has sustained its use in marine, industrial, and monetary applications.

Environmental and recycling: NickelKupfer is highly recyclable; scrap copper–nickel alloys can be reprocessed to recover copper and nickel for reuse.