Copper Corrosion, Copper Pipe Corrosion Prevention and Control

Copper Pipe Corrosion

Introduction to Copper Pipe Corrosion

Copper exhibits good resistance to corrosion in urban, marine, and industrial atmospheres. The major factors that control the initial rate of attack on copper are moisture, temperature, and the level of pollution. Soon after exposure of copper to the atmosphere copper oxidize, the bright copper surface takes on a dull tan tarnish. After a few years thik tarnish gradually changes to dark brown or black. At a later stage the corrosion products of copper turn green. The corrosion rate of several types of copper in a 20-yr test averaged 1 pm/yr (0.05 mpy) in an industrial atmosphere, 0.8 pm/yr (0.03 mpy) in a marine atmosphere, and 0.5 pm/ yr (0.02 mpy) in a rural atmosphere.

Copper Pipe Corrosion

Copper has good resistance to corrosion by all types of freshwater. Corrosion rates of Copper Pipe are from 5 to 25 microm/yr (0.2 to o 1 mpy). Corrosion rates for water saturated with air and carbon dioxide are an order of magnitude greater than those for municipal or distilled water. Copper also has good resistance to corrosion in seawater. Because of its outstanding resistance to fouling by marine organisms, it is widely used for sheathing on surfaces exposed to seawater. Copper is sometimes used in seawater piping, but copper pipes are subject to corrosion-erosion where the flow velocity is greater than 0.9 to 1.2 m/s (3 to 4ft/s). These velocities are often attained at changes in copper pipe cross section or flow direction.

Pitting and Crevice Corrosion of Copper Pipe

Although the failure of domestic copper plumbing systems is rare, pitting failure occurs in cold-water lines that conduct aggressive well waters. Aggressive well waters are those contaminated with corrosive compounds. Hot-water pitting is rare and is usually associated with a soft water. Copper is susceptible to crevice corrosion attack.

Galvanic Corrosion of Copper Pipe

Couples of copper and aluminum or copper and steel can lead to severe galvanic corrosion.
The degree of risk in coupling copper to other metals in water, salt solutions, or acids depends upon the effectiveness of the solution as an electrolyte.

Copper Pipe Corrosion in Neutral Solutions

Copper pipe has good resistance to many salt solutions, such as the sulfates and nitrates of sodium and potassium. Typical corrosion rates are 5 pm/yr (0.2 mpy). It also has reasonably good resistance to the nonoxidizing chlorides of sodium and calcium. Corrosion rates may range from 15 to 279 microm/yr (0.6 to 11 mpy). Copper does, however, have poor resistance to oxidising substances, such as ferric and cupric salts, and to ammonium salts. Cyanides are also very corrosive to copper pipe.

Copper Pipe Corrosion in Natural Waters (Fresh Water and SeaWater)

Copper pipe alloys are widely used for systems that handle freshwater. Certain of the alloys have become associated with particular components, such as heat exchangers, and with particular types of freshwaters, such as river water containing acid mine drainage. Copper alloys are widely employed in systems exposed to seawater. The corrosion rates of copper alloys in seawater vary, they depend on many factors including the composition, i.e., concentration, of the seawater, the temperature, the velocity past the metal surface, and the degree and kind of pollution. The good resistance of copper pipe alloys to corrosion by seawater depends partly upon the inherent cathodic nobility of the metal, but it also depends on the ability to form protective films. High-velocity and turbolnet flow conditions can remove these films and permit local and rapid corrosion.

Automotive Radiators Motor vehicle radiators made of copper are often used with an ethytene glycol, i.e., antifreeze, and water solution as the coolant. Although commercial antifreeze and coolant solutions always contain an corrosion inhibitor, these inhibitors do not last indeftitely. Therefore, the solutions should be renewed or fresh inhibitor should be added periodically because copper can be significantly corroded by uninhibited ethylene glycol and water solutions at the usual operating temperatures and low pH.

reference: MATERIAL DETERIORATION PREVENTION AND CONTROL GUIDE OF ARMY MATERIAL, PARTONE, METALS (MlL HDBK-73S (MR))

Useful Documents on Copper Corrosion and Copper Pipe Corrosion:

INTERAGENCY COPPER PIPE CORROSION PROJECT - This project was initiated in response to complaints of black water occurring in some customer's home in florida.

Copper Pinhole Leaks - A Technical note from Toolbase on the mechanisms and prevention of Copper corrosion and Copper pipe leaks

Task Force to Study Pinhole Leaks in Copper Plumbing -

The Task Force to Study Pinhole Leaks in Copper Plumbing was established under the auspices of Senate Bill 54, 2003, in order to help Marylanders understand the pinhole leak phenomenon, and thus deal with its consequences. Pinhole leaks pose problems for several reasons:

• They may cause water damage to plaster and sheetrock walls, electrical systems, flooring, ceilings or furniture; • Undetected water leakage may result in mold growth; • Repairing or replacing copper pipe, because of limited access, is generally costly; • Water damage claims may result in homeowners’ insurance premiums being raised, or non-renewal of policies.

Possible causes to the pinhole leak problem are offered in this report, although it is widely believed that there is no one cause; and there is no one solution. Rather, it is generally held that a number of circumstances may contribute to the problem, and a variety of remedies may be available for consideration

How The Copper Industry Helps Solve Corrosion Problems - A NACE article on Copper corrosion and methods for prevention and control of Copper Corrosion.

Corrosion Control In Drinking Water Systems

COPPER PIPING CORROSION: A PROBLEM FOR SAN FRANCISCO BAY

CORROSION OF ALUMINUM-FIN, COPPER-TUBE HEAT EXCHANGE COILS

Copper Pinhole Leaks

What Is Most Important When Designing And Installing Copper Piping Systems?

Pitting Corrosion of Copper in High-pH and Low-Alkalinity Waters

How to Prevent Corrosion of Copper Tube in Underground or Buried Applications?

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Copper Pipe Corrosion