Title: Pitting corrosion in copper water pipes

Authors: R. Riedl, J. Klimbachert

Addresses: Institut fur Werkstoffkunde & Schweisstechnik, TU-Graz, Austria. ' Institut fur Chemische Technologie Anorganischer Stoffe, TU-Graz, Austria

Abstract: Copper as a material for water supplying installations is used to an increasing degree in Austria as it also is elsewhere. Pipes of copper are used in cold- and warm-water supply because good economy is promised by the easy machinability, handling, very good soldering properties and the good corrosion resistance. In spite of the good corrosion resistance there have been corrosion problems leading to great damage which has had to be covered by technical insurance either of the owner or the manufacturer. Corrosion attack occurs as pitting corrosion; three different types are known. The conditions for pitting corrosion will be shown; in most cases a characteristic analysis of the water may be assigned. This does not mean thought, that certain waters automatically cause corrosion. Further conditions must be fulfilled to make corrosion damage probable. Conditions depending on fabrication, handling and use of copper pipe systems will be discussed.

Keywords: copper pipes; pitting corrosion; technical insurance; water pipes; water supply; Austria; corrosion damage.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1989.036729

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1989 Vol.4 No.2, pp.159 - 166

Published online: 06 Nov 2010 *

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