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Saltwater is hard on metal, and condenser and heat exchanger tubes take that hit day after day. When a system finally gets pulled out of service, it's rarely a storm or a breakdown that caused it. More often, the tubing corroded away quietly, over years, until it couldn't be trusted anymore. For many years, aluminum brass has been the solution to this problem for industries.
By adding aluminum to a copper-zinc alloy, manufacturers can produce a material with good corrosion and erosion resistance, along with a lower tendency towards marine growth than conventional brass. This makes it useful for condenser tubes, heat exchangers, valves, and pumps used in ships, power stations, and desalination plants.
In this guide, we’ll look at what aluminum brass is, how its composition affects its performance, the grades and forms available, and what to consider when choosing it for an industrial application.
Aluminum Brass is made up mainly of copper and zinc, with aluminum added for the sake of making the alloy more practical. The following list contains the metals that can be found in aluminum brass, albeit in small quantities, depending on the alloy grade.
The nature of the alloy is brought about by the aluminum layer, which forms a protective barrier from corrosion and erosion in places like seawater or flowing fluids.
It is fairly strong and can be rolled into tubing, sheets, plates, bars, or fittings. In terms of cost, it falls somewhere in between regular brass and copper-nickel.
Worth clearing up one thing: aluminum brass starts as brass, with aluminum added in, not the other way around. You'll sometimes see it called aluminum brass metal alloy as well.
Copper and zinc make up most of the alloy, with aluminum providing additional strength and corrosion resistance. A typical composition includes:
There might also be some traces of iron, manganese, or nickel, depending on the grade. The addition of these metals may have an impact on some features such as resistance to erosion and mechanical strength.
Traces of arsenic are particularly significant for grades that are used for water service applications, as it helps avoid dezincification of the alloy, which is the selective removal of zinc from the material. If there is no control over this process, the material becomes porous and weak.
Exact composition may vary from grade to grade and manufacturer to manufacturer, so the material needs to be checked according to the corresponding standard and Mill Test Certificate (MTC).
The following are some of the features that make aluminum brass suitable for harsh water handling and heat transfer applications.
Resistance to Corrosion and Erosion
Because of the aluminum addition, the metal forms a protective outer layer that makes it resistant to corrosion and erosion. This is especially useful in seawater systems and condenser tubes where there is high water flow.
Strength and Machinability
Aluminum brass is stronger than ordinary brass while still being compatible with manufacturing processes. Based on the type of application and alloy grade, it can be drawn, formed, rolled, or machined to the desired shape.
Thermal Conductivity
The thermal conductivity of aluminum brass is not as good as that of pure copper; however, it can be used in situations where heat conduction must go along with seawater corrosion resistance.
Aluminum brass can be discussed in terms of its alloy structure as well as the form in which it is supplied.
Single-Phase and Duplex Grades
Single-phase aluminum brass has a relatively simple microstructure and is generally easier to manufacture and form.
Duplex grades contain two phases in their structure. This can provide greater strength and hardness, making them suitable for applications exposed to more demanding marine conditions.
Aluminum Brass Sheet
Aluminum brass sheet is used for flat components, including tube sheets and parts that need to be cut or formed during fabrication. The required thickness and temper depend on the application.
Aluminium Brass Tube
Aluminium brass tube is one of the most widely used forms of the alloy. It is commonly found in condensers, heat exchangers, marine cooling systems, and evaporators. For these applications, seamless tubes with controlled wall thickness are often specified.
Rod and Bar
Aluminum brass rod and bar are used for machined components such as fittings, valve parts, and other turned components where the material's strength and corrosion resistance are useful.
UNS C68700 is one of the most widely used aluminum brass grades. It is also identified as CuZn20Al2As and CW702R under the relevant EN designation. The alloy contains arsenic to help control dezincification and is commonly specified for condenser and heat exchanger tubing used in seawater service.
UNS C68800 contains additional alloying elements and may be selected where higher mechanical performance is required.
Naval brass and Admiralty brass are sometimes mentioned alongside aluminum brass because they are used in similar marine applications. However, they are different alloys. The addition that makes Admiralty brass an effective corrosion-resistant alloy is tin instead of aluminum.
That is why there should never be any confusion regarding different-sounding alloys that are not actually different. Check for the UNS number, temper, and standards.
The water-resistant nature of aluminum brass, one of the durable non-ferrous metal alloys, allows it to be used in industries where components must withstand seawater or fast-moving fluids while maintaining consistent performance.
Common applications include:
Performance Benefits
One of the major benefits of aluminum brass is its capability to perform in seawater. It is highly resistant to corrosion and erosion due to the high fluidity of water. It also has a reasonable resistance to marine biological growth.
Together, these properties can contribute to a long service life when the system is properly designed and maintained.
Cost and Fabrication Benefits
Although it is more expensive than copper-nickel, aluminum brass may be cheaper than it while meeting all the required criteria for several applications involving seawater.
However, the material selection must not only depend on cost factors. The chemical composition of the water, flow rate, temperature, as well as interaction with other materials, influence the behavior of the alloy in practice.
The first step in selecting the proper grade is to determine the environmental conditions where the material will be used. This is especially important when considering the uses of brass in engineering, as different applications require specific levels of strength, corrosion resistance, and durability. Before ordering, you should take into account the following factors:
The final material should always be checked against the project specification and the Mill Test Certificate supplied with the product.
Aluminum brass products are supplied according to recognised industry standards to help maintain consistent quality and traceability. Some commonly referenced standards and designations include:
A purchase specification should clearly identify the alloy, product form, dimensions, temper, applicable standard, and testing requirements. These details should then be checked against the supplier's material certificate before the material is accepted.
Choosing the right alloy is only part of getting good service life from aluminum brass. Operating conditions and handling during installation matter as well.
Operational Tips
Keep fluid velocity within the recommended limits for the selected grade. Excessive velocity can damage the protective surface film and increase erosion.
Water chemistry should also be monitored. High sulphide concentrations and unusual contaminants can increase the risk of corrosion, so they should be controlled where necessary.
Inspection and Handling Tips
It is important to check the bends, joints, and ends of the tubing for any turbulence that may occur.
Make sure not to dent or scratch the product while transporting and installing it, and also make sure to clean it regularly to avoid any build-up that will cause corrosion under the coating.
Golden Harbour, an experienced aluminum brass supplier , supplies aluminium brass tubes, sheets, and related copper alloy products across the UAE and the wider GCC region. Its products are used in marine, heat exchanger, condenser, and oil and gas applications.
The team works with customers to identify the appropriate grade, product form, and documentation based on the project's requirements. This includes assistance with material identification, selection of grade, and standard compliance before placing an order.
In cases where the compatibility of the material will have an impact on performance in the long term, it could mean a lot.
Aluminum brass ticks many boxes at once: good corrosion resistance, good strength, and ease of fabrication contribute to its popularity for condensers, heat exchangers, valves, and marine coolers.
That said, selecting the right alloy isn’t just about naming the alloy. You've got to look at the grade, the product form, the dimensions, the operating conditions, and whatever standard applies, and make sure all of it actually fits what you're building for.
Aluminum brass brings together corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and ease of Before ordering, check the material designation and technical requirements against the project specification and Mill Test Certificate. Working with a supplier that can provide the right grade and supporting documentation can also help avoid material compatibility issues later.
