Electrochemistry of stress corrosion cracking of brass

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6128857

Seleet, M M.S.

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of pure Cu and two brass (Cu-Zn) compositions (80/20 and 60/39) was studied in ammoniacal and nonammoniacal aqueous solutions at open circuit potential applying a constant load technique. The SCC tests showed Cu to be immune in all solutions tested, the US '-brass (60/39) alloy to be most susceptible to SCC, and the (80/20) alloy to have intermediate SCC susceptibility. Formation of intermediate cuprous complexes was detected using a rotating ring disc electrode (RRDE) composed of a brass (80/20) disc and platinum ring, in ammonium chloride-cupric chloride solution. A mathematical model for the role of cuprous complexes in copper corrosion was developed for the proposed autocatalytic oxidation mechanism. Predictions of dezincification and decuprification were confirmed by energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX). The dissolution mechanism was further supported by scanning electron microscopy results.

• Research Organization: Ames Lab., IA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-82
• OSTI ID: 6128857
• Report Number(s): IS-T-1188; ON: DE86006381
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BRASS
STRESS CORROSION
COPPER
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CRACKS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CORROSION
KINETICS
ALLOYS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COPPER ALLOYS
COPPER BASE ALLOYS
CORROSION
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
METALS
MIXTURES
SOLUTIONS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ZINC ALLOYS
360105* - Metals & Alloys- Corrosion & Erosion