The development of superior alloys suitable for use as condenser tubes in large, tubular condensers has been the subject of intensive research for many years. Service in shipboard condensers and at tidewater power plants is particularly severe as a consequence of the corrosive qualities of sea water.
Alloys to be used in condenser tubes must be resistant not only to corrosion by the sea water but also to the well-known phenomenon of impingement attack resulting from aeration of the sea water and relatively high-velocity flow of the aerated sea water through the condenser tubes, particularly on shipboard.
Corrosion tests can be made in a laboratory to determine the relative, fundamental corrosion resistance of various alloys. Many tests also have been devised to show the effect of velocity of flow and aeration on condenser tube alloys. There is always the question, however, of extrapolating laboratory test data into probable service results....
