Application of copper alloys in ships
Copper has good seawater corrosion resistance. The copper ions dissolved in the water have a bactericidal effect and can prevent marine life from fouling. It has been used in the shipping industry for a long time and has achieved very good results. It is mainly used as propellers, condensers, seawater piping systems, pump valves and structural parts on ships. For example, nearly 20 kinds of copper alloys such as red copper, aluminum bronze, manganese bronze, silicon bronze, aluminum brass, gunmetal (tin-zinc-lead-copper alloy), and white copper are used on ships, and their usage is gradually increasing.
1. propeller
The materials used to make propellers include copper alloys, titanium alloys, cast steel, etc. Among them, copper alloys (such as manganese bronze, nickel aluminum bronze, and high manganese aluminum bronze) have high strength, corrosion resistance, and are easy to process, so they are widely used. Commonly used copper propeller materials mainly include: ZHMn55-3-1, ZHA167-5-2-2, ZQA112-8-3-2, ZQA19-4-2-2, ZQA114-8-3-2, Mn-Cu base High damping alloy, etc.
2. Condenser
Cooling equipment is an important part of the ship's seawater cooling system. Condenser tubes are used in large amounts in my country's shipbuilding industry, about 60,000 t/a. Copper alloy condenser tubes for ships mainly include BFe30-1-1, BFel0-1-1 white copper tubes, HSn70-1 tin brass tubes and HA177-2 aluminum yellow tubes. HSn70-1 tin brass tube is called "Navy Brass" and has excellent corrosion resistance and high strength.
3. Sea access system, bellows, flange
The ship's seawater piping system is an important part of the ship's propulsion support system, generator set support system and auxiliary system. It plays an important role in ensuring the normal operation of the ship's power plant, auxiliary machinery and equipment. The corrosion resistance of piping materials is the main factor affecting the corrosion damage of seawater piping systems. The materials currently available for seawater piping systems include: copper pipes, seamless steel pipes, B10, B30, duplex stainless steel pipes, etc.
4. Conductive copper
The complex electrical equipment on the ship, such as engines, motors, communication systems, etc., almost entirely rely on copper and copper alloys to work. The ship's computer microprocessor is a large-scale integrated circuit with tens of millions of interconnected chips that must be assembled through lead frame materials and printed circuits to work. These electronic components generally use high-precision copper strips, tin-phosphor bronze strips QSn6.5-0.1, T2 conductive cable strips, electric vacuum oxygen-free copper TU1 hollow conductors, special-shaped copper materials, conductive copper bars, etc.
5. Small castings
Such castings are mainly divided into tin bronze products, lead bronze products, silicon brass products and high alumina brass products. Specific products include hundreds of varieties such as valves, elbows, marine valves, and mechanical parts. The marine bronze globe valve body is made of ZQSn10-2, the valve stem is made of QA19-2, the valve disc cover and valve disc are made of ZQSn10-2, and the valve stem nut material is QA1l0-3-1.5 and other bronze alloys.
With the continuous development of ship equipment technology, copper alloys are being used on ships, and their usage is gradually increasing. Future warships will develop towards high speed, stealth, maneuverability, high endurance and all-electric power. The development of copper alloy ship materials with high strength and high conductivity, good seawater corrosion resistance, stress corrosion resistance, and high flow rate limit is the guarantee for the development of high-performance ships in the future.
