Corrosion bronze

Scott DA (2000) A review of copper chlorides and related salts in bronze corrosion and as painting pigments. Smd Conservat 45 39-53. 

Domenech A, Domenech-Carbo MT, Martfnez-Lazaro I (2008) Electrochemical identification of bronze corrosion products in archaeological artefacts. A case study. Microchim Acta 162 351-359. 

Because both the black and the green materials contain aluminum oxide or hydroxide, a cause for the black color must be found. The amorphous copper material that shows in the EDAX results but not on the XRD pattern may be this cause. A possible source of the black color in corroded bronze is suggested by Gettens (13) in his study of the corrosion of an ancient Chinese fragment. He attributes a black color in the corrosion layers to the presence of tenorite (CuO) and states that because it is so amorphous, it gives indistinct diffraction patterns or none at all. In a later paper Gettens (14) repeats his belief that the dark product in bronze corrosion is tenorite and stresses the need for further analysis. Plenderleith (15) agrees that the dark material in bronze corrosion is tenorite, but much debate continues as evidenced by a more recently published discussion between corrosion scientists and museum conservators (16). 

Phosphorus is also important in the production of steels, phosphor bronze, and many other products. Trisodium phosphate is important as a cleaning agent, as a water softener, and for preventing boiler scale and corrosion of pipes and boiler tubes. 

In the outdoor environment, the high concentrations of sulfur and nitrogen oxides from automotive and industrial emissions result in a corrosion having both soluble and insoluble corrosion products and no pacification. The results are clearly visible on outdoor bronze sculpture (see Airpollution Exhaust CONTROL, automotive Exhaust conthol, industrial). 

Another ak pollutant that can have very serious effects is hydrogen sulfide, which is largely responsible for the tarnishing of silver, but also has played a destmctive role in the discoloration of the natural patinas on ancient bronzes through the formation of copper sulfide. Moreover, a special vulnerabihty is created when two metals are in contact. The electromotive force can result in an accelerated corrosion, eg, in bronzes having kon mounting pins. 

Bronze disease necessitates immediate action to halt the process and remove the cause. For a long time, stabilization was sought by removal of the cuprous chloride by immersing the object in a solution of sodium sesquicarbonate. This process was, however, extremely time-consuming, frequentiy unsuccesshil, and often the cause of unpleasant discolorations of the patina. Objects affected by bronze disease are mostiy treated by immersion in, or surface appHcation of, 1 H-henzotriazole [95-14-7] C H N, a corrosion inhibitor for copper. A localized treatment is the excavation of cuprous chloride from the affected area until bare metal is obtained, followed by appHcation of moist, freshly precipitated silver oxide which serves to stabilize the chloride by formation of silver chloride. Subsequent storage in very dry conditions is generally recommended to prevent recurrence. 

Copper and tin phosphides are used as deoxidants in the production of the respective metals, to increase the tensile strength and corrosion resistance in phosphor bronze [12767-50-9] and as components of brazing solders (see Solders and brazing alloys). Phosphor bronze is an alloy of copper and 1.25—11 wt % tin. As tin may be completely oxidized in a copper alloy in the form of stannic oxide, 0.03—0.35 wt % phosphoms is added to deoxidize the alloy. Phosphor copper [12643-19-5] is prepared by the addition of phosphoms to molten copper. Phosphor tin [66579-64-4] 2.5—3 wt % P, is made for the deoxidation of bronzes and German silver. 

Sihcon is also used in the copper (qv) industry for production of sihcon bronzes. The addition of sihcon improves fluidity, minimizes dross formation, and enhances corrosion resistance and strength. 

Chlorosulfuric acid attacks brass, bronze, lead, and most other nonferrous metals. From a corrosion standpoint, carbon steel and cast Hon are acceptable below 35°C provided color and Hon content is not a concern. Stainless steels (300-series) and certain aluminum alloys are acceptable materials of constmction, as is HasteUoy. Glass, glass-lined steel, or Teflon-lined piping and equipment are the preferred materials at elevated temperatures and/or high velocities or where trace Hon contamination is a problem, such as in the synthetic detergent industry. 

Uses. Uses for copper—siUcon alloys are siUcon bronze, UNS C 87200, as bearings, pumps, valve parts, marine fittings, and corrosion-resistant castings siUcon brass UNS C 87400 as bearings, gears, impellers, valve stems, and clamps and siUcon brass UNS C 87500 as small propellers, valve stems, gears, and bearings. 

Ejectors are available in many materials of construction to suit process requirements. If the gases or vapors are not corrosive, the diffuser is usually constructed of cast iron and the steam nozzle of stainless steel. For more corrosive gases and vapors, many combinations of materials such as bronze, various stainless-steel alloys, and other corrosion-resistant metals, carbon, and glass can be used. 

Flexible Metal Hose Deeply corrugated thin brass, bronze, Monel, aluminum, and steel tubes are covered with flexible braided-wire jackets to form flexible metal hose. Both tube and braid are brazed or welded to pipe-thread, union, or flanged ends. Failures are often the result of corrosion of the braided-wire jacket or of a poor... 

When the layer of graphite and corrosion products is impervious to the solution, corrosion wdl cease or slow down. If the layer is porous, corrosion will progress by galvanic behavior between graphite and iron. The rate of this attack will be approximately that for the maximum penetration of steel by pitting. The layer of graphite formed may also be effective in reducing the g vanic action between cast iron and more noble alloys such as bronze used for valve trim and impellers in pumps. 

Bronzes are somewhat similar to brasses in mechanical properties and to high-zinc brasses in corrosion resistance (except that bronzes are not affected by stress cracking). Aluminum and silicon bronzes are very popiilar in the process industries because they combine good strength with corrosion resistance. 

Copper-alloy corrosion behavior depends on the alloying elements added. Alloying copper with zinc increases corrosion rates in caustic solutions whereas nickel additions decrease corrosion rates. Silicon bronzes containing between 95% and 98% copper have corrosion rates as low as 2 mil/y (0.051 mm/y) at 140°F (60°C) in 30% caustic solutions. Figure 8.2 shows the corrosion rate in a 50% caustic soda evaporator as a function of nickel content. As is obvious, the corrosion rate falls to even lower values as nickel concentration increases. Caustic solutions attack zinc brasses at rates of 2 to 20 mil/y (0.051 to 0.51 mm/y). 

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