What is Nickel-Copper?
Nickel-Copper (Ni-Cu) alloys exhibit simultaneously high strength and toughness, excellent corrosion resistance, and may show good wear resistance. The Ni-Cu system forms the basis for the Monel alloy family. Monel was discovered by Robert Crooks Stanley who was employed by the International Nickel Company (INCO) in 1901. The new alloy was named in honour of the company president, Ambrose Monell. Ni and Cu exhibit very similar atomic characteristics. They both have face centred cubic (fcc) crystal structure type, less than three percent difference in atomic radii, and exhibit similar electronegativity and valence state. The Ni-Cu system has complete solid solubility, which allows production of single phase alloys over the entire composition range. Although the Ni-Cu system exhibits complete solid solubility, the large differences in melting points between Ni (1455 °C) and Cu (1085 °C) can result in Cu segregation. Following equilibrium solidification at slow cooling rates, dendrites become enriched in Ni and interdendritic regions get enriched in Cu. However, with an increase in cooling rate during solidification the compositional gradient decreases and the microstructure morphology changes from dendritic to cellular. Higher undercoolings during solidification also lead to finer and more equiaxed grain sizes after annealing.
Ni-Cu alloys are usually quite weldable
Monel alloys can be easily fabricated by hot and cold metal forming processes and machining. Recrystallisation studies determined the optimum hot deformation temperatures to be 950–1150 °C, which are quite similar to other Ni-base alloys and steels. However, heat treatment schedule requires rigorous development: usually a two-step age-hardening heat treatment in the temperature range of 650–480 °C is used for Ni-Cu alloys. The higher temperature stage helps to quickly nucleate precipitates of alloying elements, and the lower temperature stage provides a superior distribution of higher number density of smaller-sized particles. Ni-Cu alloys are usually quite weldable to each other and to other Ni alloys and stainless steels. Lower heat inputs produce finer grain microstructures with random texture and higher strength and ductility. Monel alloys are expensive, with their cost reaching up to 3 times that of Ni and 7 times that of Cu. Hence their use is limited to those applications where they cannot be replaced with a cheaper alternative. Major additions of copper (28–40 wt.%) improve corrosion resistance of Ni in many agents, in particular nonoxidizing acids, nonaerated sulphuric and hydrofluoric acids. This determines areas of application of Ni-Cu alloys. They are widely used for manufacturing various components of equipment in chemical, oil and marine industries (such as drill collars, pumps, valves, fixtures, piping, fasteners, screws, propeller shafts, steam generators, turbines), for protective coating, for manufacturing electrical and electronic equipment (resistors, bimetal contacts, capsules for transistors and ceramic-to-metal sealing), and in fuel cells.
Role of Alloying Elements of copper alloys
Ni can dissolve high concentrations of alloying elements compared to other metals. Alloying elements increase mechanical strength via solid solution or precipitation strengthening. However, the solid solution strengthening effect of Cu is much lower compared to other elements. For example, in recently developed nanocrystalline Ni-Cu alloys both strength and ductility increased with Cu content by only 40% for Cu concentrations increasing by 5 times (from 6 to 32 wt.%). This was associated with grain refinement and solid solution strengthening. Work hardening also increased with Cu content, as the stacking fault energy decreased, leading to increased dislocation densities and twinning. Due to the substantial increase in strength-to-weight ratio, achieved by precipitation hardening, the weight of turbine engines was significantly reduced, which enhanced development of the aerospace industry. Although Ti and Al provide some solid solution strengthening effect, they typically improve strength by precipitation of γ′-Ni3(Ti,Al) particles during heat treatment. Aluminium (2.3–3.15%) provides excellent corrosion resistance resulting from the formation of a protective Al2O3 surface oxide layer. Titanium (0.35–0.85%) forms TiC carbides. Together Al and Ti are often used in minor amounts to increase corrosion resistance via deoxidation. They both combine with oxygen to form oxides, thus controlling porosity in welds. Carbon (<0.25 wt.%) is required for carbide formation, which not only increase strength at room temperature but also creep resistance. Manganese (<1.5%) improves corrosion resistance and weldability, promotes formation of M23C6 type carbides. Iron (<2.0%) provides solid solution strengthening at reduced costs, but may be detrimental for corrosion resistance. Fe also increases the solubility of C in Ni; this improves resistance to high-temperature carburizing environments. Cobalt (<0.25%) increases high-temperature strength via solid solution strengthening, and resistance to carburization and sulphidation. Additions of Co also raise solvus temperature of γ′ phase . Sulphur (<0.006%) enhances machinability. Silicon (<0.5%) is typically present only in minor amounts as a residual element from deoxidation or as an intentional addition to promote high-temperature oxidation resistance.
Price of copper alloys
Copper alloys particle size and purity will affect the product's Price, and the purchase volume can also affect the cost of Copper alloys. A large amount of large amount will be lower. The Price of copper alloys is on our company's official website.
Copper alloys supplier
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