Copper Nickel Valves contain manganese, iron, copper and nickel. The manganese and iron cupronickel is known to increase the strength of the alloy. Sea-water corrosion is resisted in Copper-nickel valves, due to the oxide layer produced on its surface in such environments. The valves also do not undergo Macrofouling. The thermal conductivity of Copper nickel is also appreciable.
Valves come in four forms i.e. Hydraulic, Solenoid, Pneumatic and Motor. Most of these valves are used in regulatory applications, such as maintaining the flow of liquids and gases. Copper nickel finds use in applications like marine engineering, desalination plants, chemical plants, petrochemical plants, and electricity generation. Other applications that include the use of copper nickel valves are hulls of tugboats, crank-shafts, medical equipment, automobile parts and fishing boats. Copper has good ductility, which makes it highly formable. Copper also offers low-temperature co-efficient of electrical resistance. Cu-Ni valves do not possess ferromagnetism. Hardening is caused in Copper Nickel valves, when cold-worked. The ductility retention and thermal conductivity of copper nickel valves is excellent.
