Corrosion behavior of leaded-bronze alloys in sea water

The corrosion behavior of leaded-bronze alloys (Cu-5Sn-5Zn-5Pb, Cu-8Sn-8Zn-8Pb and Cu-10Sn-10Zn-10Pb) in sea water was investigated using weight loss method, open-circuit potential measurements (OCP), polarization techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The nature and morphology of the corrosion products were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the corrosion resistance decreases with decreasing copper content. The XRD indicated that the composition of patina depends on the concentration of Cu, Sn, Zn and Pb in each alloy.