ASTM B171 C70600 90/10 Copper Nickel Tubesheet
ASTM B171 C70600 90/10 Copper Nickel Tubesheet is a precision-machined tube plate manufactured from UNS C70600 copper-nickel alloy for shell-and-tube heat exchangers, condensers and marine cooling equipment.
UNS C70600 is commonly known as 90/10 Copper-Nickel, containing approximately 90% copper and 10% nickel, with controlled additions of iron and manganese. ASTM B171/B171M specifically includes C70600 among the copper alloys covered for plates, sheets and circles used in pressure vessels, condensers and heat exchangers.
The tubesheet shown is machined with multiple tube holes and mounting holes. Depending on the equipment design, the tube holes can be arranged according to the required tube pitch, tube diameter, tube count and flow-pass configuration.
The C70600 tubesheet can be manufactured according to customer drawings, heat exchanger data sheets or tube-hole layout requirements.
Product Specifications
| Item |
Specification |
| Product Name |
C70600 Copper Nickel Tubesheet |
| Product Type |
Heat Exchanger Tubesheet / Tube Plate |
| Material |
Copper-Nickel Alloy |
| Grade |
UNS C70600 |
| Alloy Designation |
90/10 Copper-Nickel |
| Standard |
ASTM B171 / ASME SB171 |
| Material System |
Cu-Ni-Fe-Mn Alloy |
| Manufacturing |
Plate / Circle + CNC Machining |
| Form |
Machined Tubesheet |
| Outside Diameter |
Customized |
| Thickness |
Customized |
| Tube Hole Diameter |
Customized |
| Tube Hole Quantity |
Customized |
| Tube Pitch |
Customized |
| Tube Layout |
Triangular / Square / Customized |
| Bolt Holes |
Customized |
| Pass Partition |
Customized |
| Surface Finish |
Machined / Customized |
| Heat Treatment |
Hot Rolled / Hot Rolled and Annealed as Specified |
| Inspection |
Chemical, Mechanical and Dimensional Inspection |
| Certification |
MTC / EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 as Required |
| Application |
Heat Exchanger, Condenser, Marine Cooling Equipment |
ASTM B171/B171M covers copper-alloy plate, sheet and circles for pressure vessels, condensers and heat exchangers and specifically lists C70600 as 90-10 Copper Nickel.
C70600 90/10 Copper Nickel
UNS C70600 is a 90/10 copper-nickel alloy used in heat exchanger, condenser and marine equipment applications.
The alloy contains approximately 90% copper and 10% nickel, with iron and manganese additions controlled within the material specification. The combination of copper and nickel with these alloying additions makes C70600 a commonly specified material for marine and cooling-water equipment.
C70600 is also listed by ASTM as a copper-nickel alloy suitable for tube plates in surface condensers and heat exchangers.
Chemical Composition
Typical C70600 chemical composition is:
| Element |
C70600 Requirement |
| Cu |
Balance |
| Ni + Co |
9.0–11.0% |
| Fe |
1.0–1.8% |
| Mn |
≤1.0% |
| Zn |
≤1.0% |
| Pb |
≤0.05% |
| Other Elements |
As specified |
| Cu + Named Elements |
≥99.5% |
Copper.org identifies C70600 as a 10% copper-nickel wrought alloy and gives the above compositional ranges, including 9.0–11.0% Ni and 1.0–1.8% Fe.
The exact chemical composition for supplied tubesheets should always be verified against the applicable ASTM B171/B171M edition and the material certificate.
Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties depend on the specified product form and temper.
For ASTM B171 C70600 tubesheet material, the certified mechanical values should be taken from the applicable standard and MTC for the actual product condition.
| Property |
Requirement |
| Tensile Strength |
According to ASTM B171 / Specified Temper |
| Yield Strength |
According to ASTM B171 / Specified Temper |
| Elongation |
According to ASTM B171 / Specified Temper |
| Hardness |
According to Applicable Requirement |
| Material Condition |
Hot Rolled / Hot Rolled and Annealed as Specified |
Tubesheet Design
The C70600 copper nickel tubesheet is designed to provide the tube-to-shell interface in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger or condenser.
The main design parameters include:
- Tubesheet outside diameter
- Tubesheet thickness
- Tube outside diameter
- Tube-hole diameter
- Tube pitch
- Tube-hole quantity
- Tube layout
- Tube pitch circle
- Tube-side pass arrangement
- Shell-side configuration
- Bolt-hole arrangement
- Gasket seating surface
- Tube-to-tubesheet joint requirements
The final tubesheet dimensions should be determined according to the heat exchanger design calculation and approved fabrication drawing.
Tube Hole Machining
The product shown in the images features precision-machined tube holes.
The tube-hole configuration can be customized according to the heat exchanger design.
Available Tube Layouts
- Triangular
- Rotated triangular
- Square
- Rotated square
- Customized arrangement
Machining Parameters
- Tube-hole diameter
- Tube pitch
- Hole quantity
- Hole position
- Tube pitch circle
- Tube-hole tolerance
- Tube-hole depth
- Chamfer
- Counterbore
- Tube-side and shell-side machining
CNC drilling and machining can be used to maintain the required hole position and dimensional tolerances.
Mounting and Bolt Holes
In addition to tube holes, the C70600 tubesheet can be machined with mounting holes according to the equipment drawing.
Typical parameters include:
- Bolt-hole quantity
- Bolt-hole diameter
- Bolt-hole circle
- Hole spacing
- Threaded holes
- Drain or vent holes
- Partition-related holes
The mounting-hole dimensions are customized according to the corresponding heat exchanger or condenser assembly.
Manufacturing Process
1. Raw Material Preparation
C70600 copper-nickel plate, sheet or circle is supplied according to the applicable ASTM B171 requirements.
2. Material Verification
The raw material is checked for:
- Material grade
- Heat number
- Chemical composition
- Material certificate
- Required temper
3. Cutting
The copper-nickel material is cut to the preliminary tubesheet dimensions.
4. Rough Machining
The outside diameter and thickness are rough machined to establish the required geometry.
5. CNC Tube-Hole Machining
Tube holes are machined according to the approved tube layout and heat exchanger drawing.
6. Mounting Hole Machining
Bolt holes, threaded holes and other connection features are machined according to the drawing.
7. Finishing
Sealing surfaces, tube-hole edges and other specified surfaces are finished to the required dimensions and surface condition.
8. Final Inspection
The completed tubesheet is inspected for material traceability, dimensions, tube-hole position and machining requirements.
- Steam condensers
- Cooling-water condensers
- Industrial condenser systems
Marine Heat Exchangers
90/10 copper-nickel is commonly used in marine heat-transfer equipment where copper-nickel materials are specified.
Seawater Cooling Equipment
C70600 can be selected for seawater and cooling-water equipment based on the complete system design and operating conditions.
Power Plant Cooling Systems
Applications may include condenser and cooling-water equipment in power generation facilities.
Desalination Equipment
C70600 components can be used in selected desalination and seawater-processing equipment where the material is specified by the equipment design.
C70600 for Marine and Cooling-Water Service
C70600 is a 90/10 copper-nickel alloy with controlled iron and manganese additions.
Its use in marine and cooling-water equipment is based on the material specification and the actual service environment.
When selecting C70600 for a tubesheet, the following factors should be evaluated together:
- Seawater chemistry
- Operating temperature
- Flow velocity
- Oxygen content
- Chlorination conditions
- Tube material
- Shell material
- Galvanic compatibility
- Mechanical loading
- Equipment design pressure
Therefore, the product page should avoid an absolute statement such as “corrosion-proof in seawater.” Material suitability depends on the actual operating conditions and complete equipment design.
Tubesheet Customization
We manufacture C70600 copper-nickel tubesheets according to customer drawings and heat exchanger specifications.
Customizable Parameters
| Parameter |
Available Options |
| Tubesheet Diameter |
Customized |
| Thickness |
Customized |
| Tube OD |
Customized |
| Tube Hole Diameter |
Customized |
| Tube Hole Quantity |
Customized |
| Tube Pitch |
Customized |
| Tube Layout |
Triangular / Square / Customized |
| Bolt Holes |
Customized |
| Bolt Circle |
Customized |
| Pass Arrangement |
Customized |
| Gasket Surface |
Customized |
| Tube Joint Area |
Customized |
| Machining Tolerance |
According to Drawing |
| Surface Finish |
Customized |
Customers can provide a tubesheet drawing, heat exchanger drawing, tube layout or equipment data sheet for technical review and quotation.
Product Features
- Material: UNS C70600 90/10 Copper-Nickel
- Standard: ASTM B171 / ASME SB171
- Product: Heat exchanger tubesheet
- Manufacturing: Plate/Circle + CNC machining
- Tube Holes: Customized
- Tube Layout: Triangular / Square / Customized
- Mounting Holes: Customized
- Dimensions: According to drawing
- Inspection: Chemical, mechanical and dimensional
- Certification: MTC / EN 10204 3.1 available
Marking and Traceability
Each tubesheet can be marked according to customer requirements.
Typical marking includes:
Manufacturer / Material Grade / Heat Number / Product Number / Drawing Number
Heat-number traceability can be maintained from the raw C70600 material through machining and final inspection.
