Cunifer Copper: Applications
Cunifer is a copper-based alloy characterized by its light orange tint and golden luster. Although not necessarily a standard alloy used in industrial engineering, cunifer is most often the first choice of end-users especially for automotives, marine vessels, and petrochemical processing plants due to its strength and workability. Cunifer has a high resistance against crevice and pitting corrosion as compared to regular steel and has strong resilience against biological growth.
Cunifer Copper: Maintenance
Cunifer may be considered a super steel but it requires maintenance, especially when being utilized in plants. Here are the four ways of maintaining the said alloy:
1. Through the application of mineral acids.
Biological foulings like calcium buildups appear on cunifer materials over time. To remove the foulings, mineral acids like inhibited hydrochloric acid can be used.
2. Through pickling.
Undesirable oxides form on the surface of cunifer materials as a result of thermal treatment. A process called “pickling,” which involves immersing the alloy in a mixture of nitric and fluoric acid for a short period of time, can remedy the problem.
3. Through passivation.
Passivation involves using substances like SDMC (sodium diethyldimercaptocarbonate) to start a complex chemical reaction on the cunifer’s surface that will improve the material’s corrosion resistance.
4. Through the use of chromate-based cleaners.
Red or brown stains are a bane to copper-based alloys. Applying chromate-based cleaning substances on the alloy will make it look like new.
Cunifer Copper: Availability
Plain copper brake pipes are no longer recommended for applications in cars in the United States, Canada and Australia, but it has to be noted that it isn’t entirely forbidden. Suppliers would generally send cunifer alloys for placed orders because it is more reliable and long-lasting than copper although some traders would still sell copper brakes and lines instead of cunifer because it is cheaper. It’s just a matter of preference and experience. Most car owners, especially knowledgeable ones, would swear by the great performance of cunifer pipes and lines though.