Abstract
If we dip Cu and its alloys in methanol, their surfaces become black brown in colour. The degree of corrosion differs according to the kind of metals ard the methanol used. The pure methanol does not act upon Cu and its alloys, the long stocked methanol produces corrosion. By the Electron-Diffraction method, we know that the corrosion product is Cu2O. Conclusively, the corrosion mechanism of Cu and its alloys in methanol is thought to be as fallows. -
1. The methanol is oxydized in the air partiary, and produces some formaldehyde and formic acid. The produced formic acid dissolves Cu and its alloys.
2. Partiary Cu and its alloys produce the Cu-methylate.
3. The soluble Cu-formate is red-oxzdized by formaline and metalic Cu with the catalyser of the Cu-methylate, and then Cu2O is produced.
