Copper Nickel Flange Manufacturer and Supplier

Shihang Copper Nickel Flange, also referred to as CuNi Flange or Cupro Nickel Flange, is an alloy of Ni, Fe, Mn, C, Pb, S, P, Zn, and Cu mixed in varying proportions. It is the best copper nickel flange with high tensile strength, precise dimension, and tolerance, conforming to the DIN 2632, DIN 2633, DIN 2642, DIN 86033, DIN 86037, EEMUA 145 or EEMUA 234 and ASME B16.5 standards.

As your good partner and copper nickel flanges manufacturer, Shihang Copper Nickel Flange has excellent resistance to sea water, organic compounds, brine water, stress, and erosion.

Shihang Copper Nickel Flange is fabricated from high-quality material, with an accurate balance of the chemical composition. You can count on our copper nickel flanges even in the most hostile working environment with high temperature, turbulence, pressure, etc.

Our copper nickel flanges come in different sizes, thickness, CuNi grades, and pressure ratings according to the international standards. Depending on the design, Shihang Copper Nickel Flange has raised face or flat face.

Shihang has a complete range of copper nickel flanges such as Shihang Copper Nickel Composite Weld Neck Flange, Shihang Copper Nickel Composite Slip on Flange, Shihang Copper Nickel Weld Neck Flange, Shihang Copper Nickel Slip on Flange, Shihang, Copper Nickel Socket Weld Flange, Shihang, Copper Nickel Blind Flange and Shihang Copper Nickel Threaded Flange.

As China’s leading copper nickel flange manufacturer, Shihang has a range of materials in stock for short lead time for both standard and custom copper nickel flange.

With over 20 years’ experience in the copper nickel flange industry, Shihang has the know-how and sound experience, with four production facilities to handle bulk orders.

Shihang implements strict quality control on copper nickel flange manufacturing, working with third-party quality inspection institutions. We can control dimensional tolerance and chemical composition to produce the best copper nickel flanges.

Our team helps clients with CAD drawing for a custom copper nickel flange. Shihang copper nickel flanges are the most cost competitive in the market.

If you have any questions on copper nickel flange, our team is available 24/7, and ready to help.

If you want to check our copper nickel flanges price list or get the copper nickel flanges quotation, please also feel free to contact us.

Contact us now for standard and custom copper nickel flange.

 

Copper Nickel Flanges: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

 

 

What are Copper Nickel Flanges?

These are collars, discs, rings, or rims made from copper and nickel as the main alloying elements. You can attach copper nickel flanges to pipes, hydraulic components, or fittings.

Copper nickel pipe flanges are mechanical connectors, available in a range of shapes, sizes, and designs.

What is the Chemical Composition of Copper Nickel Flanges?

Chemical composition varies depending on the standard specifications of copper nickel flange.

The table below gives all the details about the chemical composition of CuNi flanges:

Cupronickel 90/10 Flanges:

Figure 1 Cupronickel 90/10 flanges

Cupronickel 70/30 Flanges:

Figure 2 Cupronickel 70/30 Flanges

How many Types of Copper Nickel Flanges are there?

There are several copper nickel flanges, and they include:

• Composite weld neck flange
• Composite flip on flange
• Weld neck flange
• Slip on flange
• Blind flange
• Socket weld flange
• Threaded flange

Each flange comes in different configurations and suitable for specific applications.

What are the Characteristics of Copper Nickel Flanges?

Cupronickel flanges are popular due to the following:

• Resistant to salty water, brine water, organic compounds, etc.
• Durable and long-lasting
• Dimensionally stable
• When properly installed, they can extend lifecycle of pipes
• Easy to modify and fix
• Excellent mechanical properties
• Impermeable
• Erosion resistant
• Resistant to marine organisms
• Excellent fabrication properties such as welding, soldering, threading, etc.

In short, copper nickel flanges offer the best performance characteristics in most offshore or marine applications.

How do you Join CuNi Flanges to Cupronickel Pipes?

There are very many techniques of joining CuNi flanges to copper nickel pipes.

First, for threaded CuNi flanges, you will require a compatible Cupronickel pipe with threads. You will then use the threads to join the pipe and flange.

“Screw” in the flange onto the pipe.

Figure 3 Threaded CuNi Flange

Second, you can also use bolts and nuts to join the Cupronickel pipe to CuNi flange. However, you must have an O-ring gasket between the pipe and flange to prevent possible leakage.

Figure 4 Joining pipe to flange – Photo credits: UG Steel Mill

The number of bolt holes will depend on the size of the pipe and flange. Moreover, the bolt holes on flange must match that of the pipe.

Third, you can also use soldering, gas shielded arc welding, brazing, oxyacetylene welding, coated metal arc welding, seam weld, spot weld or butt weld to join copper nickel flange to pipe.

What is the difference between ANSI and DIN Copper Nickel Flanges?

1. ANSI is a U.S. specification, while DIN is an E.U. specification. Implying, depending on the region, you will find ANSI or DIN certified flanges.
2. For ANSI standards, dimensions are in inches while pressure in psi. On the other hand, for DIN, dimensions use metric measurements system with pressure in bars.

How do You Test Quality of Copper Nickel Flanges?

Testing the quality of copper nickel flanges is a systematic process that starts from analyzing the chemical composition of raw material to verifying the final product.

Some of the key stages in the quality tests of copper nickel flange include:

1. Chemical composition of copper nickel raw material testing
2. Non-destructive test – these may include ultrasonic test, magnetic tests, liquid penetration tests, etc.

• Verifying metallurgical structure of copper nickel flange

1. Destructive tests which may include impact, tensile, and hardness tests.
2. Hydrostatic testing
3. Visual inspection of copper nickel pipe flange – it may include looking for surface imperfection, damages, or unfinished surfaces.

• Inspect and verify the dimension standards of copper nickel flange – these may include DIN, JIS, ASME or EEMUA
• Marking Cupronickel flanges

Figure 5 Copper nickel flanges

What are Copper Nickel Flanges Used for?

Cupronickel flanges perform a range of functions depending on the design and configurations.

Some of the main uses of CuNi pipe flanges include:

• Joining piping systems, i.e. pipe to pipe, or pipe to valve, pipe to pumps or other hydraulic equipment
• Provides easy access for cleaning piping system
• Allow for fast inspection of the piping system
• Modifying the piping system is easy and straightforward with flanges
• Terminate flow in the piping system
• Allowing for flexible maintenance schedule

In short, copper nickel pipe flanges play an important role in piping systems.

Does Copper Nickel Flanges have Standards?

Copper nickel flanges come in three main standards which include:

a)      ASME B16.5 CuNi Flanges

ASME B16.5 Cupronickel flanges include weld neck, slip on, socket, threaded, and blind flanges.

Their main pressure rating is Class 150 and Class 300. Moreover, the thickness is schedule (5, 10, 40, and 80 schedule).

Besides, the material for these flanges is either ASTM B151 UNS C70600 or ASTM B151 UNS C71500.

b)      DIN Copper Nickel Flanges

Some of the main standards in this category include:

• DIN 2632/2633 CuNi weld neck flange
• DIN 86033 CuNi slip on flange
• DIN 86036 CuNi composite slip on flange
• DIN 86037 CuNi weld neck flange

For the DIN rated copper nickel flanges, the pressure rating is either 10 bar or 14 bar, while the material is Cuni10fe1.6mn.

Unlike other copper nickel flange standards, DIN has strict standards on dimensions and specifications.

c)       EEMUA 145 CuNi Flanges

The main material grade for EEMUA 145 CuNi flanges is UNS 7060x.

Here, you can get a composite weld neck, weld neck, composite slip on and slip on flanges.

What is the difference between Class 150 and Class 300 Flange?

Figure 6 Copper nickel flange

Class 300 copper nickel flanges have a bigger dimension than Class 150 copper nickel flange.

Also, a Class 300 CuNi flange can handle more pressure than Class 150 CuNi flange. Of course, CuNi flanges with higher class are stronger.

Implying, the term class refers to pressure rating of the flange.

Which Industries Use Copper Nickel Flanges?

Nearly all industries that handle salty water will choose copper nickel flanges in the piping systems.

Of course, others may include industries that want pipes with excellent:

• Resistance to biofouling and corrosion
• Fabrication capability
• Resistance to erosion
• Anti-microbial properties, etc.

The industries may include:

• Shipbuilding
• Desalination plant
• Offshore marine platform
• Automotive industry
• Petrochemical industry
• Power generation plants
• Food industries, etc.

You can use copper nickel flanges as part of heat exchanger systems, condenser systems, piping systems, and leg sheathing, amongst others.

How do you Specify Copper Nickel Flanges?

When specifying copper nickel flanges, you should consider the following:

• The raw material for copper nickel flange – CuNi 70/30 and 90/10 are the most common grades
• Dimension and standard specification
• Type of copper nickel flange
• Size of copper nickel flange
• CuNi flange face type
• Pressure rating
• Quality test certifications

In a nutshell, you should review the technical information of the copper nickel flange you want to buy.

These will include (note: each Cupronickel flange has unique dimension specifications):

Chemical Composition

Figure 7 Chemical composition of copper nickel flanges

Figure 8 Sample dimension specification

What is a Cupronickel Flange Face Type?

Copper nickel flange face can either be the flat face (FF) or raised face (FR).

For most plant applications, you will find raised face (FR) copper nickel pipe flanges.

How Does Threaded and Welded Copper Nickel Flanges Compare?

Figure 9 Threaded flange

Figure 10 Weld neck flange

Cupronickel weld neck flange has a strong hub that provides support alongside a neck that is long and tapered. These flanges are suitable for high temperature and pressure applications.

Moreover, copper nickel weld neck flanges are also bulky and more expensive. You can connect them to the piping system by welding.

Cupronickel threaded flanges have threads within the inner bore for connecting it to the piping system. Unlike the weld neck copper nickel flange, threaded flanges are easy to connect and disconnect.

Threaded CuNi pipe flanges are suitable for small diameter pipes and high-pressure applications. However, threaded flanges are not suitable for applications where temperature is fluctuating.

How do you Produce Copper Nickel Flange?

Figure 11 Pipe flange manufacturing process – Photo credits: Jetsunsteel

Manufacturing CuNi flanges is a complex process that involves several processes, as illustrated above.

Some of the key processes include:

Step 1: Inspecting Quality of Raw Material

Here you need to verify the quality of raw material and analyze its chemical composition. The chemical composition must conform to the copper nickel grade and standards.

Step 2: Cutting Copper Nickel Bar

Using an appropriate cutting tool, cut copper nickel bar into suitable dimensions. You should ensure both weight and dimensions consistency.

Step 3: Copper Nickel Flange Forging and Forming

Using a temperature-controlled forging machine, carefully shape the copper nickel bar into a suitable type of flange.

The process here involves:

• Choosing high-quality copper nickel billet
• Heating
• Forming to a suitable shape
• Cooling

Step 4: Heat Treatment

Heat treatment will improve the mechanical properties of copper nickel flange. For instance, it will improve hardness, toughness, and strength.

Step 5: Machining Copper Nickel Flange

Depending on the type of copper nickel flange you need, machining will help you:

• Drill holes on the copper nickel flange for bolts and nuts
• Thread the flange more for threaded copper nickel flange
• Boring holes on CuNi flanges
• Milling CuNi flange
• Turning CuNi flange

Remember, the nature of machining operation will depend on what you want to achieve on the Cupronickel flange.

Step 6: Quality Inspection of CuNi Flange and Documentation

Subject CuNi flanges to various tests and verifications procedures which may include and not limited to:

• Mechanical properties test
• Flattening test
• Pitting resistance test
• Ultrasonic test, etc.

By the end of the process, there should be test certification for each CuNi flange.

Additionally, the copper nickel flange manufacturer should have the necessary documentation giving details about the flange.

Step 6: Marking Copper Nickel Flange

Marking plays an integral role in tracing and identifying CuNi flanges. The marking on CuNi flanges should include:

• Material grade
• Standard Specification
• Dimension
• Pressure rating
• Lot number

Step 7: Packing Copper Nickel Flange

Copper nickel flanges are packed in a seaworthy wooden box for safety during shipping.

Which Certificate does Copper Nickel Pipe End User Require?

Cupronickel pipe flange manufacturers issue EN 10204 3.1 certificate.

Alternatively, in case the end-user requires EN 10204 3.2 certificate, the copper nickel flange manufacturers will always provide.