Alloys galvanic corrosion

Because the corrosion resistance of lead and lead alloys is associated with the formation of the protective corrosion film, removal of the film in any way causes rapid attack. Thus the velocity of a solution passing over a surface can lead to significantly increased attack, particularly if the solution contains suspended particulate material. Lead is also attacked rapidly in the presence of high velocity deionised water. The lack of dissolved minerals in such water prevents the formation of an insoluble protective film. In most solutions, lead and lead alloys are resistant to galvanic corrosion because of the formation of a nonconductive corrosion film. In contact with more noble metals, however, lead can undergo galvanic attack which is accelerated by stray electrical currents. 

D. L. Hawke, J. E. HiUis, and W. Unsworth, Preventive Practice for Controlling the Galvanic Corrosion of Magnesium Alloys, International Magnesium Association, McLean, Va., 1988. 

The most serious form of galvanic corrosion occurs in cooling systems that contain both copper and steel alloys. It results when dissolved copper plates onto a steel surface and induces rapid galvanic attack of the steel. The amount of dissolved copper required to produce this effect is small and the increased corrosion is difficult to inhibit once it occurs. A copper corrosion inhibitor is needed to prevent copper dissolution. 

Copper alloys often show only weak crevice corrosion. This is especially the case if the copper alloy is coupled to a less noble alloy such as steel. The corrosion of the steel is stimulated by the galvanic effect caused by the coupling of dissimilar metals. Hence, the sacrificial corrosion of the steel protects the copper alloy (Fig. 2.9). See Chap. 16, Galvanic Corrosion. ... 

When possible, avoid coupling materials having widely dissimilar galvanic potentials. If this cannot he avoided, make use of favorable area ratios by giving the active metal a large exposed area relative to the noble metal. For example, copper or copper-based alloy tubes may be joined to a steel tube sheet. Because of the favorable area ratio in this case, a relatively inexpensive steel tube sheet may be intentionally substituted for a bronze or a brass tube sheet if thickness specifications allow for a small amount of galvanic corrosion of the steel. 

Similarly, graphitically corroded cast iron (see Chap. 17) can assume a potential approximately equivalent to graphite, thus inducing galvanic corrosion of components of steel, uncorroded cast iron, and copper-based alloys. Hence, special precautions must be exercised when dealing with graphitically corroded pump impellers and pump casings (see Cautions in Chap. 17). 

Care must be exercised when installing stainless steel inserts in the inlet or exit end of copper or copper-alloy tubes, since galvanic corrosion can occur at the tuhe-insert junction. 

If conditions are such as to require a duplex tube, it is quite likely that a plain end detail for the tube will not be satisfactory. Grooved or serrated joints are recommended for this type of tube, and the ends should be flared or beaded. Table 10-8 gives recommended flare or bell radii for copper-based alloys. Also see Table 10-8A. In service where galvanic corrosion or other corrosive action may take place on the outside material used in the tube, a ferrule of inside tube... 

Figure 4.17 illustrates the corrosion occurring on high-purity AZ31 and ZW3 in contact with steel bolts. Tested alone in sea-water, the corrosion rate of the former is much the lower. It is evident from the illustration, however, that the governing factor in galvanic corrosion is the type of electrolyte present rather than the composition of the alloy. 

There is an accelerating trend away from the use of lead-containing solders in contact with potable water. The effects of galvanic corrosion of one of the substitute alloys (Sn3%Ag) in contact with a number of other metals including copper have therefore been studied . The corrosion of tin/Iead alloys in different electrolytes including nitrates, nitric and acetic acids, and citric acid over the pH range 2-6 were reported. The specific alloy Pb/15%Sn was studied in contact with aqueous solutions in the pH range... 

The US Bureau of Mines found the chemical and galvanic corrosion behaviour of both the TZM and Mo-30W alloy to be generally equal or superior to that of unalloyed molybdenum in many aqueous solutions of acids, bases and salts. Notable exceptions occurred in 6-1 % nitric acid where both alloys corroded appreciably faster than molybdenum. In mercuric chloride solutions the TZM alloy was susceptible to a type of crevice corrosion which was not due to differential aeration. The alloys were usually not adversely affected by contact with dissimilar metals in galvanic couple experiments, but the dissimilar metals sometimes corroded galvanically. Both alloys were resistant to synthetic sea water spray at 60°C. 

Galvanic corrosion reports have emerged from two sources. In the first , the chemical compatibility of uranium carbides and Cr-Fe-Ni alloys was discussed. Evaluation was by thermodynamic modelling and experimental... 

The coating is, in addition, useful in preventing galvanic corrosion . Plated on steel which is to be used in contact with aluminium alloys, it protects the steel and does not stimulate the corrosion of the light alloy and is itself not consumed as rapidly as a 100% zinc coating. 

Practice for measurement of corrosion potentials of aluminium alloys Practice for conducting and evaluating galvanic corrosion tests in electrolytes Practice for liquid impingement erosion testing... 

The real electrical potential of various metals and their alloys may, under practical boiler operating conditions, be considerably different from their standard potential under ideal conditions. Thus, a reversal of potential may take place in the boiler plant system, with unexpected forms of galvanic corrosion occurring. 

These galvanic corrosion processes take place when one or more elemental constituents of an alloy is leached, often leaving a weak, porous structure, although the component dimensions often are unchanged. Dealloying particularly affects equipment constructed of cupronickels, bronzes, brasses, and gunmetal, such as FW heaters, strainers, valves, and pump impellers. 

The most common overcoats, however, are sputtered carbons. Their role in disk corrosion has been described in contradicting ways. Whereas Garrison [141] clearly observed that carbon, like Rh, can enhance galvanic corrosion, Smallen et al. [131] believe that carbon decreases corrosion by preventing lateral growth of corrosion products. Results of similar tests are sometimes contradictory Nagao et al. [145] have shown an improvement of the corrosion resistance of carbon-coated CoCr alloys on T/H test (with either SOz gas or NaCl mist), whereas Black [146] finds that pyrolitic carbon over a CoCrMo alloy results in elevated corrosion rates. 

Aluminum is not embrittled by low temperatures and is not subject to external corrosion when exposed to normal atmospheres. At 200°C (400°F) its strength is less than half that at room temperature. It is attacked by alkahes, by traces of copper, nickel, mercury, and other heavy-metal ions, and by prolonged contact with wet insulation. It suffers from galvanic corrosion when coupled to copper, nickel, or lead-base alloys but not when coupled to galvanized iron. 

There are many permutations of galvanic corrosion that can occur when two or more dissimilar metals or alloys are coupled in a cooling water electrolyte. The less noble metal actively corrodes, the extent of which is determined by a number of factors. 

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