Copper pipes used in a home plumbing system experienced repeated pinhole leaks. These leaks occurred approximately nine years after the home was occupied, and eleven years after construction of the home. The home is supplied by a private well with sulfurous water. To ameliorate the unpleasant effects (taste and odor) of the sulfurous water, an ozone treatment system was installed seven years after occupation of the home. During the intervening period following the treatment system installation, multiple pinhole failures became evident. Upon examination of pipes removed during repair, a thick layer of dark green and black corrosion products was observed on the interior, with areas of pitting observed up to several centimeters in length. This paper will describe the composition and morphology of the deposits formed inside the copper pipes, pitting corrosion observed and the potential effects of the combination of sulfurous water and ozone treatment on the localized corrosion of the pipes.

Subject
Pits, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Water, Piping, Corrosion rate, Ozone, Corrosion products, Filters, Pitting, Sulfides, Copper, Pinholes, Samples
Keywords:
copper pipes, ozone, drinking water, well water
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2021
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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