Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1469813 Corrosion Science 2011 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

The anodic behaviour and SCC susceptibility of pure copper and four α-brasses of different zinc alloy concentration in a 1 M NaNO3 solution was studied by means of potentiodynamic polarisation curves and constant potential slow strain rate experiments. SCC was exclusively observed when the potential was equal to or higher than a certain critical value (Ec) at which pitting initiated under slow dynamic straining. It is concluded that the same SCC mechanism should be operating during SCC of copper and α-brasses in sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite and copper (II) nitrate solutions.

Research highlights► The anodic behaviour and SCC susceptibility of Cu–Zn alloys are studied in a 1 M NaNO3 solution. ► Cu–Zn alloys exhibit susceptibility to SCC in sodium nitrate solutions at potentials higher than the breakdown potential. ► The crack velocity measured for Cu–Zn alloys strained in a 1 M NaNO3 solution change with the copper alloy concentration in the same way as reported for Cu(II) nitrate and NaNO2 solutions. ► The SCC of Cu–Zn alloys in NaNO3, NaNO2 and Cu(II) nitrate solutions result from the same process.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Materials Science Ceramics and Composites
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