Carbonic acid copper corrosion

Solutions of citric acid are corrosive to normal concrete,aluniinum, carbon steel, copper, copper alloys, and should not be used with nylon. 

In most respects, copper-nickel and copper-tin alloys behave similarly to copper-zinc alloys. The presence of acids, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and carbon dioxide degrades corrosion resistance. 

The corrosion of copper by carbonic acid deserves special attention. There is a synergism between oxygen and carbonic acid with regard to corrosion. Carbonic acid in the absence of oxygen is not corrosive to most copper alloys. However, corrosivity can be appreciable if oxygen is present. 

Figure 7.25 Smooth, wavelike contour in a region of general metal loss on copper due to carbonic acid. The groove patterns indicate channeling of corrosive fluids by flow. (Light is coming from the reader s right.)...

EXPLOSION and FIRE CONCERNS moderate fire hazard NFPA rating Health 2, Flammability 2, Reactivity 1 reacts with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive hydrochloric acid fumes incompatible or reacts violently with strong oxidizers, acids, copper, aluminum, magnesium, iron, zinc, and tin releases heat and toxic hydrochloric acid vapors on contact with many metals use dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam for firefighting purposes.. 

Carbon dioxide is often ignored in steam systems. However, when absorbed in water, it forms carbonic acid, which can be corrosive to all parts of the steam and condensate system. Its potential presence is frequently overlooked in the design of heat exchangers, steam traps, condensate systems, deaerators, and water-treating systems. Most steam systems require continual addition of makeup water to replace losses. Makeup water must be adequately treated, by demineralization or distillation, to remove carbonates and bicarbonates. If these are not removed, they can be thermally decomposed to carbon dioxide gas and carbonate and hydroxide ions. The ions will normally remain in the boiler water, but the caron dioxide will pass off with the steam as a gas. When the steam is condensed, the carbon dioxide will accumulate since is is noncondensable) be passed as a gas by the steam trap or if the condensate and carbon dioxide are not freely passed by the steam trap, become dissolved in the condensate and form carbonic acid. If carbonic acid is formed it can have a pH approaching 4 and be very corrosive to copper and steel. Even if both the gas and condensate are passed freely by the steam trap, the gas will become soluble in the condensate when subcooling occurs. If oxygen is present, the corrosion rate Is accelerated. 

Copper finds many applications in the handling of seawater and/or fresh water. The corrosion resistance of copper, when in contact with fresh water or seawater, is dependent upon the surface oxide film that forms. For corrosion to continue, oxygen must diffuse through this film. High-velocity water will disturb the film, whereas carbonic acid or organic acids that are present in some fresh waters and soils will dissolve the film. Either situation leads to an appreciably high corrosion rate. If the water velocity is limited to 4r-5 ft/s, the film will not be disturbed. 

Shipment nd Stora.ge, Sulfur monochloride is minimally corrosive to carbon steel and iron when dry. If it is necessary to avoid discoloration caused by iron sulfide formation or chloride stress cracking, 310 stainless steel should be used. Sulfur monochloride is shipped in tank cars, tank tmcks, and steel dmms. When wet, it behaves like hydrochloric acid and attacks steel, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steels, copper and copper alloys, and many nickel-based materials. Alloys of 62 Ni—28 Mo and 54 Ni—15 Cr—16 Mo are useful under these conditions. Under DOT HM-181 sulfur monochloride is classified as a Poison Inhalation Hazard (PIH) Zone B, as well as a Corrosive Material (DOT Hazard Class B). Shipment information is available (140). 

Corrosion. Aqueous solutions of citric acid are mildly corrosive toward carbon steels. At elevated temperatures, 304 stainless steel is corroded by citric acid, but 316 stainless steel is resistant to corrosion. Many aluminum, copper, and nickel alloys are mildly corroded by citric acid. In general, glass and plastics such as fiber glass reinforced polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), and cross-linked poly(vinyl chloride) are not corroded by citric acid. 

Virtually all metallurgies can be attacked by corrosive bacteria. Cases of titanium corrosion are, however, rare. Copper alloys are not immune to bacterial attack however, corrosion morphologies on copper alloys are not well defined. Tubercles on carbon steel and common cast irons sometimes contain sulfate-reducing and acid-producing bacteria. Potentially corrosive anaerobic bacteria are often present beneath... 

Hence, copper heat exchanger tubes handling acetic acid can he more seriously corroded at low temperatures than at high temperatures. Sulfuric acid at room temperature is handled routinely in carbon steel drums and tanks when water concentration is low, but it becomes extremely corrosive as water concentration increases. As ferric-ion concentration increases during acid cleaning of industrial systems, the corrosion rate of steel increases rapidly. 

Corrosion of industrial alloys in alkaline waters is not as common or as severe as attack associated with acidic conditions. Caustic solutions produce little corrosion on steel, stainless steel, cast iron, nickel, and nickel alloys under most cooling water conditions. Ammonia produces wastage and cracking mainly on copper and copper alloys. Most other alloys are not attacked at cooling water temperatures. This is at least in part explained by inherent alloy corrosion behavior and the interaction of specific ions on the metal surface. Further, many dissolved minerals have normal pH solubility and thus deposit at faster rates when pH increases. Precipitated minerals such as phosphates, carbonates, and silicates, for example, tend to reduce corrosion on many alloys. 

Copper does not form protective oxide fdms. Therefore, its corrosion resistance is poor against most acids and salts. Many gases-haloids, sulfurous anhydride, sulfur vapors, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, ammonium-destroy copper. However, copper is highly corrosion resistant to alkali solutions. 

For some non-ferrous metals (copper, lead, nickel) the attack by sulphuric acid is probably direct with the formation of sulphates. Lead sulphate is barely soluble and gives good protection. Nickel and copper sulphates are deliquescent but are gradually converted (if not leached away) into insoluble basic sulphates, e.g. Cu Cu(OH)2)3SO4, and the metals are thus protected after a period of active corrosion. For zinc and cadmium the sulphur acids probably act by dissolution of the protective basic carbonate film. This reforms, consuming metal in the process, redissolves, and so on. Zinc and cadmium sulphates are formed in polluted winter conditions whereas in the purer atmospheres of the summer the corrosion products include considerable amounts of oxide and basic carbonate. ... 

Dissolution Some waters continuously dissolve appreciable amounts of copper . Factors that favour this action are high free carbon dioxide, chloride and sulphate contents, low hardness, and increase of temperature. The trouble is therefore most prevalent in hot, soft, acid waters. The corrosion is general and the resulting thinning is so slight that the useful life of the pipe or component is virtually unaffected (unless impingement attack... 

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