A beverc copper corrosion process in the water distribution system of a County Hospital has been detected in the cold and warm water sections shortly after the opening of the Hospital.The damaged coppcr pipes showed pitting corrosion phenomena that could not be attributed to known types of pitting. The results of a first sampling revealed the same kind of corrosion in all installation areas. A thorough examination of the samples (perforations and hole depths) proved an influence of design and operating con& tions o n the extent of corrosion.
Copper is in a passive state in a potential range of 50 mVH to about 300 mVH in contact with an aqueous electrolyte at neutral pH caused by the formation of a thin tarnishing layer consisting of copper(I)‐corrosion products. This layer inhibits more the anodic than the cathodic partial reaction of the corrosion process. The steep threshold in the transpassive range leads to the oxidation of copper and the formation of secondarily formed reaction layers.
In sulphate containing electrolytes voluminous reaction layers of crystalline non‐protective copper(I)‐oxide are formed. The manifestation of corrosion is general attack. In chloride containing electrolytes a two‐fold reaction layer is formed, copper(I)‐chloride underneath copper(I)‐oxide. This amorphous copper(I)‐oxide is formed via hydrolysis of copper(I)‐chloride and inhibits anodic metal dissolution. The only observed manifestation of corrosion is repassivating pitting.
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