Pitting corrosion continued copper alloys

Dezincification Dezincification is corrosion of a brass alloy containing zinc in which the principal product of corrosion is metallic copper. This may occur as plugs rilling pits (plug type) or as continuous layers surrounding an unattacked core of brass (general type). The mechanism may involve overall corrosion of the alloy followed by redeposition of the copper from the corrosion products or selective corrosion of zinc or a high-zinc phase to leave copper residue. This form of corrosion is commonly encountered in brasses that contain more than 15 percent zinc and can be either eliminated or reduced by the addition ox small amounts of arsenic, antimony, or ph osphorus to the alloy. 

For copper alloys, increase in temperature accelerates film formation. While it takes about 1 day to form a protective film at 15°C, it may take a week or more at 2°C. It is important to continue initial circulation of clean seawater long enough for initial film formation for all copper alloys. For stainless steels and other alloys that are prone to pitting and crevice corrosion, an increase in temperature tends to facilitate initiation of these types of attack. However, data on propagation rate suggest... 

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