Behavior in Chemical Environments

Behavior in chemical environments can be briefly stated in terms of resistance of copper and its alloys to acids and bases. Acids such as acetic, phosphoric, dilute sulfuric and hydrochloric acids can be handled, providing there are no oxidizing agents present. Nitric and concentrated sulphuric acids dissolve copper and its alloys and cannot be tolerated. The copper and its alloys, as is the case with any system, should be tested in acid systems or any other environment of interest closely simulating the industrial plant operating conditions before finalizing the operation of the plant. 

Copper and its alloys are resistant to alkalies with the exception of ammonium hydroxide and cyanides. Ammonium ions promote stress-corrosion cracking of copper and its alloys. Ferric and stannic salts are aggressive towards copper alloys. Ammonia and cyanide ions form tetramine copper and tetracyano copper complexes in ammonia and cyanide solutions, respectively. 

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Shapiro, J. 1967. Yellow organic acids of lake water Differences in their composition and behavior. In Chemical Environment in the Aquatic Habitat (H. L. Golterman and R. S. Clymo, Eds.), pp. 202-216. North-Holland, Amsterdam. 

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