Inter-relation of corrosion and fouling for metals in sea water

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Mater. Performance; (United States)

OSTI ID:5799613

Efird, K D

Carbon steel, aluminum, and copper alloys submerged at the Inco Wrightsville Beach, NC, test station were evaluated by International Nickel Co., Inc., for their ability to resist sea marine fouling for up to 5 years. The study demonstrated that the fouling properties are influenced by the corrosion characteristics of the alloys, which can be placed into one of three classes: highly corrodible metals, passive metals, and toxic film-forming metals. Highly corrodible alloys such as steel will foul; the fouling can be removed easily with the loose corrosion product, sloughing off at intervals during exposure. However, the fouling on passive alloys is tightly adherent and restricts the diffusion of oxygen to the metal surface. The only effect on corrosion occurs when the material is sensitive to oxygen-concentration cells, causing crevice corrosion beneath the fouling organisms. The copper-base alloys possess fouling resistance because of the formation of an adherent cuprous oxide corrosion product that is toxic to the organisms. Materials such as beryllium and lead, which are expected to form toxic films, do not remain free of fouling.

• OSTI ID: 5799613
• Journal Information: Mater. Performance; (United States), Journal Name: Mater. Performance; (United States) Vol. 15; ISSN MTPFB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360105* -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
BERYLLIUM
CARBON STEELS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COPPER ALLOYS
COPPER BASE ALLOYS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER OXIDES
CORROSION
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
FOULING
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
LEAD
METALS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEAWATER
STEELS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WATER