TOBO Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., a premier manufacturer and global supplier of precision-engineered piping components, has announced the expansion of its product portfolio with the introduction of high-quality Copper-Nickel 70/30 (CuNi 70/30) Forged Flanges. Manufactured in strict compliance with ASME B16.5 and rated to Class 150, these specialized flanges are designed to deliver superior corrosion resistance and reliable sealing in demanding marine, offshore, desalination, and power generation applications .
The Material Advantage: CuNi 70/30 (UNS C71500)
At the core of this product is the Copper-Nickel 70/30 alloy (UNS C71500), a material highly regarded for its exceptional performance in seawater and aggressive environments. Comprising approximately 70% copper and 30% nickel, this alloy offers a superior combination of corrosion resistance and mechanical strength compared to the more common 90/10 variant .
The material's outstanding corrosion resistance is achieved through the formation of a complex, self-healing protective surface film that develops naturally upon exposure to seawater . General corrosion rates for CuNi 70/30 in seawater range between 0.025 and 0.0025 mm per year, enabling a service lifetime that often spans decades .
Key performance advantages include:
Superior Resistance to Seawater Corrosion: CuNi 70/30 provides excellent resistance to chloride pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking, which are common failure modes in stainless steels .
Biofouling Resistance: The copper content naturally inhibits the growth of marine organisms such as barnacles and mussels, reducing long-term maintenance requirements .
High Mechanical Strength: With minimum tensile strength of approximately 350 MPa and yield strength of 130 MPa, these flanges maintain structural integrity under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions .
The Socket Weld Design: Secure and Reliable Connections
The Class 150 flange features a socket weld (SW) connection, a design that allows the pipe to be inserted into a recessed area of the flange and welded around the outer diameter. This creates a strong, permanent, and leak-proof connection ideal for high-pressure systems and applications where weld integrity is critical .
Socket weld flanges are widely preferred in marine and industrial settings because they provide smooth bore flow characteristics, eliminate crevices that could trap corrosive media, and offer ease of alignment during installation.
ASME B16.5 Standard: A Guarantee of Quality and Interoperability
Manufacturing to the ASME B16.5 standard ensures that these flanges meet rigorous dimensional tolerances and pressure-temperature ratings. This compliance guarantees perfect compatibility with other ASME-compliant components, enabling seamless integration into global pipeline systems and simplifying procurement for international projects .
Key Technical Specifications:
Material: CuNi 70/30 (UNS C71500)
Standard: ASME B16.5 / ANSI B16.5
Pressure Class: Class 150
Connection Type: Socket Weld (SW)
Face Type: Raised Face (RF)
Size Range: 1/2" to 24" (Custom sizes available)
Applications Across Critical Sectors:
Marine and Shipbuilding: Seawater cooling systems, ballast water treatment, and firefighting pipelines.
Offshore Oil and Gas: Seawater injection lines, subsea infrastructure, and heat exchangers.
Desalination Plants: High-salinity brine handling where conventional materials would fail.
Power Generation: Cooling water systems in coastal thermal and nuclear plants.
Manufacturing Excellence and Factory-Direct Pricing
By operating a vertically integrated manufacturing facility, TOBO ensures full control over the production process—from raw material forging and heat treatment to precision CNC machining. This approach, combined with the elimination of intermediary markups, allows TOBO to offer factory-direct pricing on these premium components without compromising quality .
Each flange undergoes rigorous quality control, including material verification, dimensional inspection, and non-destructive testing, to ensure compliance with international standards.
Conclusion
The introduction of the ASME B16.5 Class 150 CuNi 70/30 Socket Weld Flange represents a strategic addition to TOBO's industrial piping portfolio. By combining the time-tested performance of 70/30 copper-nickel with the reliability of forged construction and socket weld design, this product provides engineers and procurement specialists with a durable, cost-effective solution for the most challenging fluid-handling applications.
About TOBO Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
TOBO is a professional manufacturer and exporter of precision-engineered piping components based in Shanghai, China. The company specializes in copper-nickel alloys, stainless steels, and associated products for demanding industrial applications.