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Early corrosion failure of copper tubing used in air‐conditioning units
Author(s) -
Cano E.,
Simancas J.,
Polo J. L.,
Torres C. L.,
Bastidas J. M.,
Alcolea J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
materials and corrosion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.487
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1521-4176
pISSN - 0947-5117
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-4176(199902)50:2<103::aid-maco103>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , copper , metallurgy , nuclear chemistry , auger electron spectroscopy , chemistry , corrosion , scanning electron microscope , materials science , analytical chemistry (journal) , composite material , environmental chemistry , chemical engineering , physics , engineering , nuclear physics
This paper analyses the causes of the early corrosion failure of phosphorus deoxidized copper tubes which formed part of an air‐conditioning unit. The failure of the tubes occurred after 2–3 months service time. X‐ray photo‐electron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) techniques were used. Corrosion tests were also performed at the laboratory using three types of uncorroded copper tubes, 40, 80 and 100% relative humidities, 20 and 40°C temperature, and two commercial lubricant oils. Organic acids, chloride and sulphur were found as sources of corrosion failure.