A comparative analysis of copper and brass surface films in contact with tap water

A study of the surface oxide films naturally grown on copper and brass in contact with drinkable water is presented. The investigation focuses on the influence of Zn as alloying element on the corrosion resistance of brass. Artificial tap water, employed as electrolyte, simulates a practical applica...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Valcarce, María Beatriz, de Sánchez, S. R., Vazquez, Marcela Vivian
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2006
País:Argentina
Institución:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repositorio:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/42384
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/42384
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Copper
Brass
Tap Water
Corrosion
Corrosion Resistance
Cyclic Voltammetry
Oxide Film
Electrochemical Impedance
Spectroscopy Surface Film
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.4
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2.5
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2
Descripción
Sumario:A study of the surface oxide films naturally grown on copper and brass in contact with drinkable water is presented. The investigation focuses on the influence of Zn as alloying element on the corrosion resistance of brass. Artificial tap water, employed as electrolyte, simulates a practical application of these materials. The surface films were grown at open circuit potential for 2 and 192 hours. Diverse in-situ techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy were employed. Even when the surface layer is mainly composed of cuprous oxide, Zn(II) species are incorporated in the surface film grown on brass. At longer ageing times, the thickness increases, without affecting the composition of the surface films. The corrosion current was calculated for both materials using various techniques. The corrosion current density and the anodic currents in the polarization curves decreased as the ageing time increased, particularly in the case of brass. This improvement in the performance of the film on brass can be attributed to the incorporation of Zn(II) species into the surface layer, particularly as the film consolidates at longer times.