skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Adherence of sulfide mineral layers produced by corrosion of copper alloys

Journal Article · · Corrosion (Houston); (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5006/1.3316128· OSTI ID:5630525
 [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Office of Research
  2. East Carolina Univ., Greenville, NC (United States). Dept. of Geology

Sulfiding corrosion of copper alloys can occur from microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) mechanisms involving sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) or from exposure to bulk waters containing reduced sulfur (S) species of microbiological, industrial, or geologic origin. The sulfide minerals produced generally are nonadherent. Under some circumstances, adherent sulfide layers can form and offer a degree of protection against further attack. Test were conducted in sterile synthetic seawater with various levels of dissolved sulfide, and the structure of the corrosion products was examined. Results, combined with MIC observations from literature and geochemical studies of copper sulfide paragenesis, revealed the nature of the reactions that produce dense, relatively protective sulfides.

OSTI ID:
5630525
Journal Information:
Corrosion (Houston); (United States), Vol. 49:9; ISSN 0010-9312
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English