ASTM B171 Copper Alloy Plate and Sheet
Grade: UNS C36500, UNS C44300, UNS C44400, UNS C44500, UNS C46400, UNS C46500, UNS C61300, UNS C61400, UNS C63000, UNS C63200, UNS C70600, UNS C70620, UNS C71500, UNS C71520, UNS C72200
Type: Plate and Sheet
Features
ASTM B171/B171M Copper Alloy Plate and Sheet for Pressure Vessels, Condensers, and Heat Exchangers
Chemical Composition (wt.%)
| Alloy (UNS No.) | Cu (incl. Ag) | Sn | Ni (incl. Co) | Mn max | Pb | Fe | Zn | Al | Cr | Other Named Elements |
| C36500 | 58.0-61.0 | – | – | 1 | 0.07 | – | Remainder | – | – | – |
| C44300 | 70.0-73.0 | – | 0.8-1.2 | 1.5 | 0.07 | 0.06 | Remainder | – | – | – |
| C44400 | 70.0-73.0 | – | 0.8-1.2 | 1.2-2.0 | 0.07 | 0.06 | Remainder | – | – | – |
| C44500 | 70.0-73.0 | – | 0.8-1.2 | 1 | 0.07 | 0.06 | Remainder | – | – | – |
| C46400 | 59.0-62.0 | – | – | 1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | Remainder | – | – | – |
| C46500 | 59.0-62.0 | – | – | 1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | Remainder | – | – | – |
| C61300 | Remainder | – | – | 0.2 | 0.05 | 2.0-3.0 | 0.2 | 6.0-7.5 | – | – |
| C61400 | Remainder | – | – | 1 | 0.05 | 1.5-3.5 | 0.3 | 6.0-8.0 | – | – |
| C63000 | Remainder | – | 9.0-11.0 | 0.3 | 0.02 | 2.0-4.0 | 0.5 | 9.0-11.0 | – | – |
| C63200 | Remainder | – | 8.7-9.5 | 1 | 0.02 | 3.5-4.3 | 0.5 | 8.7-9.5 | – | – |
| C70600 | 86.5 min | – | 9.0-11.0 | 1 | 0.05 | 1.0-1.8 | 1 | – | – | – |
| C70620 | 86.5 min | – | 9.0-11.0 | 1 | 0.05 | 1.0-1.8 | 1 | – | – | – |
| C71500 | 65.0 min | – | 29.0-33.0 | 1 | 0.05 | 0.40-1.0 | 1 | – | – | – |
| C71520 | 65.0 min | – | 29.0-33.0 | 1 | 0.05 | 0.40-1.0 | 1 | – | – | – |
| C72200 | Remainder | – | 15.0-18.0 | 0.2 | 0.05 | 0.50-1.0 | 0.5 | – | – | 0.02-0.06 As, 0.02-0.10 Sb |
Mechanical Properties
| Alloy (UNS No.) | Tensile Strength (ksi) | Yield Strength (ksi) | Elongation (%) |
| C36500 | 50-60 | 20-30 | 20-30 |
| C44300 | 50-60 | 20-30 | 20-30 |
| C44400 | 50-60 | 20-30 | 20-30 |
| C44500 | 50-60 | 20-30 | 20-30 |
| C46400 | 60-70 | 25-35 | 20-30 |
| C46500 | 60-70 | 25-35 | 20-30 |
| C61300 | 75-85 | 30-40 | 13-18 |
| C61400 | 75-85 | 30-40 | 13-18 |
| C63000 | 90-110 | 40-50 | 10-20 |
| C63200 | 90-110 | 40-50 | 10-20 |
| C70600 | 40-50 | 15-20 | 30-40 |
| C70620 | 40-50 | 15-20 | 30-40 |
| C71500 | 50-70 | 20-30 | 30-40 |
| C71520 | 50-70 | 20-30 | 30-40 |
| C72200 | Specific to application | Specific to application | Specific to application |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
| Standard | ASTM B171 Copper Alloy Plate and Sheet |
| Grade | UNS C36500, UNS C44300, UNS C44400, UNS C44500, UNS C46400, UNS C46500, UNS C61300, UNS C61400, UNS C63000, UNS C63200, UNS C70600, UNS C70620, UNS C71500, UNS C71520, UNS C72200 |
| Type | Plate, Sheet, Strip |
| Thickness | 1-50mm |
| Length | 1000 – 12000mm |
| Width | 500 – 2500mm |
| Inspection Certificate | EN 10204 Type 3.1 (Mill Test Certificate), EN 10204 Type 3.2 (Witness Testing or 3rd Party Inspection) |
| Tests | Tensile Strength (ASTM E8/E8M), Hardness (ASTM E10), Bend Test (ASTM E290), Impact Test (ASTM E23), Intergranular Corrosion Test (Various ASTM Standards) |
Packing
Packed on plywood pallets or packed in plywood boxes.
Application
Marine Engineering: Due to their exceptional resistance to seawater corrosion, copper-nickel alloys specified in ASTM B171 are widely used in marine applications. This includes ship hulls, offshore platforms, and piping systems for seawater intake and processing.
Heat Exchangers and Condensers: These materials are commonly used in the manufacturing of heat exchangers and condensers, especially in environments where corrosion resistance is crucial. Their thermal conductivity makes them ideal for efficiently transferring heat in a wide range of industrial processes.
Desalination Plants: In desalination plants, copper-nickel alloys are used for evaporators, heat exchangers, and piping. Their corrosion resistance is vital in handling seawater and the aggressive conditions present in desalination processes.
Power Generation: ASTM B171 materials are used in cooling systems and condensers in power plants, including nuclear, thermal, and hydroelectric facilities. Their ability to withstand high velocities of water and resist biofouling is particularly valued in these applications.
Oil and Gas Industry: In the oil and gas sector, these materials are used for coolers, heat exchangers, and piping in offshore rigs, refineries, and processing plants. Their corrosion resistance is beneficial in the corrosive environments encountered in this industry.
Chemical Processing Industry: The copper alloys specified in ASTM B171 are used in equipment and piping for the chemical processing industry, especially where corrosive chemicals are handled or where seawater is used as a coolant.
Automotive and Aerospace: Although less common, certain copper alloys from ASTM B171 are used in automotive and aerospace applications for their heat exchange properties and corrosion resistance.
