Atmospheric and aqueous corrosion behavior of CuZn36Pb2As and CuZn21Si3P brass subjected to cyclic temperature variations

• F. Hamouche, M. Ebn Touhami, A. Ech-Сhebab, A. Larioui and Y. Baymou

Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Process Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University Ibn Tofail, PB. 133, 14000 Kenitra, Morocco

Abstract: Brass water pipes are sensitive to dezincification both inside and outside. Drinking water and atmospheric environment are two aggressive environments for brass, particularly if there are cyclical temperature variations. This study aims to investigate the corrosion resistance of two brass materials used in drinking water pipes: CuZn36Pb2As leaded brass and CuZn21Si3P environmentally friendly brass. Electrochemical tests were carried out in two electrolytes: simulated drinking water (SDW) and water that simulated atmospheric conditions (ASTM water). The tests conditioned the effect of cyclic temperature variations between 5±1°C and 45±1°C, which were compared with tests at a constant temperature. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed to characterize the surfaces of the samples after the investigation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with chemical analysis using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was also used to identify the corrosion products formed on the surface. The results indicate that the polarization resistance (R_p) of the CuZn36Pb2As brass immersed in SDW and at variable temperatures was very low. In addition, the CuZn21Si3P brass showed better resistance to dezincification in all procedures.

Keywords: CuZn36Pb2As, CuZn21Si3P, corrosion testing, dezincification, SDW, ASTM water

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2023, 12, no. 4, 1883-1905
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2023-12-4-25

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