The corrosion resistance of tubes of the copper alloy CuZn20Al (DIN No. 2.0460.19) under conditions of continuous flow and a dual phase flow (water + solid particles) of short duration (2.5 to 72 minutes) in artificial sea water was investigated in a test loop. The specimens were pretreated to build a homogeneous layer of corrosion products for passivation. During the erosion phase and the entire duration of the tests, the corrosion behaviour of the specimens was observed electrochemically. The corrosion rates, calculated from mass loss during the tests, were correlated with the conditions of flow and the amount and concentration of particles. The appearance of corrosion initiated by the particle erosion on the specimens was described by SEM and by measurement of surface profiles of the tested specimens. The mechanism leading to a corrosion form with the appearance of pitting corrosion is described. Using the results of the electrochemical measurements suggestions are given to observe components of heat exchangers in cases with a risk of experiencing particle erosion.

Subject
Pits, Test methods, Water, Materials, Sand, Corrosion rate, Tubes, Silica, Surface layers, Erosion, Corrosion resistance, Polarization resistance, Corrosion potential
Keywords:
brass, copper, cooling water, condensers, corrosion potential, elctrochemical methods, erosion, erosion corrosion, heat exchangers, local attack
© 1990 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1990
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.