Flow-induced Corrosion of Copper Alloys in a High-Salt-Concentration Environment

Abstract

This review summarizes research on the near-wall hydrodynamic conditions in a jet-in-slit corrosion testing apparatus for flow-induced corrosion testing, and includes a review of the performance of the apparatus in the flow-induced corrosion testing of copper alloys in a high-salt-concentration environment. The near-wall hydrodynamic conditions on the specimen surface in the apparatus were measured with pressure gauges. The distribution of near-wall velocities and velocity fluctuations in vertical and horizontal directions to the specimen surface were determined. As a result, the hydrodynamic parameters exhibited differing distributions, and the apparatus was useful in investigating the relationship between hydrodynamic conditions and material damage. Flow-induced corrosion tests for copper alloys were carried out in a high-salt-concentration environment using the jet-in-slit corrosion testing apparatus. As the salt concentration increased, the corrosion damage increased during intense flow. During static flow, however, corrosion was not affected by the salt concentration of the solution. A spongy film was confirmed on the surface during static flow, but no film was observed on the surface during intense flow. When the temperature of the solution increased, corrosion damage also increased regardless of flow conditions. As dissolved oxygen increased, corrosion damage also increased.