Copper/Aluminum/Nickel alloy (Cu92/Al6/Ni2) represents a versatile engineering material valued for its outstanding combination of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity. In foil form, this ternary alloy is particularly useful in applications requiring high electrical and thermal performance with superior formability and durability.
Material Overview
This Cu–Al–Ni alloy is primarily composed of 92 % copper, 6 % aluminum, and 2 % nickel. The addition of aluminum contributes to solid-solution strengthening and corrosion resistance, while nickel enhances toughness, oxidation resistance, and stability under thermal cycling. The alloy maintains a fine-grained, single-phase microstructure with excellent adhesion and surface finish when processed as thin foil. Studies on Cu–Ni–Al systems show that nanoscale dual-phase structures can synergistically reinforce hardness and wear resistance without compromising conductivity (Li et al., 2021). Furthermore, sintered Cu–Ni–Al materials exhibit stable electrical properties at low temperatures and retain ductility even under mechanical stress (Monteiro et al., 2014).
Applications and Advantages
The Cu92/Al6/Ni2 foil is employed in electrical connectors, heat exchangers, sensors, and aerospace components where lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and thermally conductive materials are needed. Nickel enhances oxidation resistance, making it suitable for high-temperature and marine environments (Campbell, 1969). When fabricated using modern methods such as additive manufacturing or precision rolling, these alloys exhibit uniform microhardness and superior tensile performance (Guo et al., 2021). Aluminum also refines grain size and improves the passive oxide layer, contributing to longer service life in aggressive conditions. The result is a material that balances mechanical resilience, thermal stability, and corrosion performance—qualities critical for advanced engineering systems.
Goodfellow Availability
Goodfellow supplies high-quality Cu92/Al6/Ni2 alloy foil for scientific, industrial, and electronic applications. Available in multiple thicknesses and customizable dimensions, this material supports both prototyping and production needs, ensuring reliability and precision for advanced R&D work.
Explore Copper/Aluminum/Nickel Cu92/Al6/Ni2 and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.
References
- Guo, C., Taiyu, K., Wu, S., Ying, M., Liu, W. M., & Chen, F. (2021). Microstructure, mechanical, and corrosion resistance of copper nickel alloy fabricated by wire-arc additive manufacturing. MRS Communications, 11(6), 978–985. https://doi.org/10.1557/S43579-021-00120-1
- Li, Z. M., Li, X. N., Cheng, X. T., Hu, Y., Zheng, Y. H., Yang, M., & Dong, C. (2021). Synergistic reinforcement of Cu–Ni–Al films with dual nanostructure. Surface Engineering, 37(10), 1093–1101. https://doi.org/10.1080/02670844.2020.1815492
- Monteiro, W. A., Guevara Carrió, J. A., da Silveira, C. R., Carvalhal, M. A., & Masson, T. J. (2014). Low temperature effect in electrical properties of sintered copper-nickel-aluminum alloys. Materials Science Forum, 805, 694–698. https://doi.org/10.4028/WWW.SCIENTIFIC.NET/MSF.805.694
- Tuan, V. A., Nam, N. D., Vuong, P. N., Thi, M. V., & Khanh, P. M. (2019). Influence of nickel on the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum-copper alloy. Mechanical Engineering Research, 8(2), 84–86. https://doi.org/10.26480/JMERD.02.2019.84.86
- Campbell, H. S. (1969). The compromise between mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in copper and aluminium alloys for marine applications. Ocean Engineering, 1(2), 143–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/0029-8018(69)90011-0