Metallic corrosion effects

The second detergent function is to prevent formation of varnishes that come from polymerization of deposits on hot surfaces of the cylinder and the piston. Finally, by adsorption on metallic surfaces, these compounds have anti-corrosion effects. 

Sa.tura.tion Index. Materials of constmction used in pools are subject to the corrosive effects of water, eg, iron and copper equipment can corrode whereas concrete and plaster can undergo dissolution, ie, etching. The corrosion rate of metallic surfaces has been shown to be a function of the concentrations of Cl ,, dissolved O2, alkalinity, and Ca hardness as well as buffer intensity, time, and the calcium carbonate saturation index (35). 

Copper, aluminium, steel and galvanized iron are the most widely used metals for the purpose of grounding. Choice of any of them will depend upon availability and economics in addition to the climatic conditions (corrosion effect) at the site of installation. In Table 22.3 we provide a brief comparison of these metals for the most appropriate choice of the metal for the required application. 

Other polymers can be more troublesome. Poly(vinyl chloride) requires the incorporation of stabilisers and even so may discolour and give off hydrochloric acid, the latter having a corrosive effect on many metals. At the same time some metals have a catalytic effect on this polymer so that care has to be taken in the construction of barrels, screws and other metal parts liable to come into contact with the polymer. 

Because systems are normally not designed for use with this type of fluid, certain aspects should be reviewed with the equipment and fluid suppliers before a decision to use such fluids can be taken. These are compatibility with filters, seals, gaskets, hoses, paints and any non-ferrous metals used in the equipment. Condensation corrosion effect on ferrous metals, fluid-mixing equipment needed, control of microbial infection together with overall maintaining and control of fluid dilution and the disposal of waste fluid must also be considered. Provided such attention is paid to these designs and operating features, the cost reductions have proved very beneficial to the overall plant cost effectiveness. 

Two dissimilar metals, such as iron and aluminium, may cause aggravated corrosion effects even if they are not in electrical contact. This subject is, however, outside the scope of this section, and has been treated in detail elsewhere. Heavy metal ions, such as copper ions, are particularly liable to produce galvanic effects by redeposition on a less noble metal the phenomenon is discussed in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 9.3. 

Some of the worst corrosive effects in soft waters are attributed to a rather wide group of organic acids abstracted from peat and mosses, sometimes called peaty acids. Such waters have low pH values and are often discoloured. They affect ferrous metals appreciably and also attack lead and... 

The modern procedure to minimise corrosion losses on underground structures is to use protective coatings between the metal and soil and to apply cathodic protection to the metal structure (see Chapter 11). In this situation, soils influence the operation in a somewhat different manner than is the case with unprotected bare metal. A soil with moderately high salts content (low resistivity) is desirable for the location of the anodes. If the impressed potential is from a sacrificial metal, the effective potential and current available will depend upon soil properties such as pH, soluble salts and moisture present. When rectifiers are used as the source of the cathodic potential, soils of low electrical resistance are desirable for the location of the anode beds. A protective coating free from holidays and of uniformly high insulation value causes the electrical conducting properties of the soil to become of less significance in relation to corrosion rates (Section 15.8). 

The corrosive effects to be considered (mainly simple corrosion of metals) are, as would be expected from the edible nature of foodstuffs which are not excessively either acidic or basic but which may contain sulphur, less severe than those often encountered with inedible materials containing reactive substances. The importance of corrosive efiects where foodstuffs are concerned lies not so much in the action of the foodstuffs on the metal involved as in the resultant metal contamination of the foodstuff itself, which may give rise to off-flavours, in the acceleration of other undesirable changes (by the Maillard reaction for example), and in the possible formation of toxic metallic salts. Metal ions generally have threshold values of content for incipient taste effect in different liquid foodstuffs. Except in the case of the manufacture of fruit juices and pickles, process plant failure through corrosion must be rare. Nevertheless all foodstuffs, particularly liquid ones, should be regarded as potentially corrosive and capable of metal pick-up which may be undesirable. 

The present survey will be confined to corrosion arising as a result of oxidation of the metal to ions, since little information on corrosion involving only metal-solubility effects is available. 

Mass-transfer deposits can lead to blockages in non-isothermal circulating systems, cis in the case of liquid-metal corrosion. In fused salts, the effect can be reduced by keeping contamination of the melt by metal ions to a minimum e.g. by eliminating oxidising impurities or by maintaining reducing conditions over the melt . 

Fig. 4.3 Comparison of weathering effects at United States and English sites— 1199-HI8 (and Sl-H) alloy —7 year data (after Metal Corrosion in the Atmosphere, A.S.T.M. Pub. STP435,...

Many of the alloys of copper are more resistant to corrosion than is copper itself, owing to the incorporation either of relatively corrosion-resistant metals such as nickel or tin, or of metals such as aluminium or beryllium that would be expected to assist in the formation of protective oxide films. Several of the copper alloys are liable to undergo a selective type of corrosion in certain circumstances, the most notable example being the dezincification of brasses. Some alloys again are liable to suffer stress corrosion by the combined effects of internal or applied stresses and the corrosive effects of certain specific environments. The most widely known example of this is the season cracking of brasses. In general brasses are the least corrosion-resistant of the commonly used copper-base alloys. 

Environments are either gases or liquids, and inhibition of the former is discussed in Section 17.1. In some situations it would appear that corrosion is due to the presence of a solid phase, e.g. when a metal is in contact with concrete, coal slurries, etc. but in fact the corrosive agent is the liquid phase that is always present. Inhibition of liquid systems is largely concerned with water and aqueous solutions, but this is not always so since inhibitors may be added to other liquids to prevent or reduce their corrosive effects — although even in these situations corrosion is often due to the presence of small quantities of an aggressive aqueous phase, e.g. in lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids (see Section 2.11). 

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