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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Catalog Information on the Performance of Aluminum in Sea Water

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1069242· OSTI ID:1069242
 [1];  [1]
  1. Aluminum Company of America, Alcoa Center, PA (United States)
To help evaluate aluminum alloys for OTEC heat exchanger tubes data on the performance of aluminum in surface and deep sea water has been assembled and computer cataloged. Pitting and crevice corrosion proved to be the types of attack that predominated. The cataloged data are the results of many static tests conducted under natural conditions of marine fouling, hence, they must be used carefully in qualifying aluminum for OTEC purposes. These data can serve the OTEC program best as a basis for selecting aluminum alloys that appear promising as candidates for further evaluation. The aluminum alloys 5052 and Alclad (7072) 3003 fall into this category. Available service histories also proved inadequate for qualifying aluminum alloys for the OTEC application, but they do support the selection of Alclad (7072) 3003 as a tubing alloy worthy of further consideration. Performance data covering areas of investigation peculiar to OTEC power plants is needed to permit a firm decision for or against aluminum alloy tubes.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1069242
Report Number(s):
PNL--2606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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