An impedance study on admiralty brass dezincification originated by microbiologically influenced corrosion.
In this article we describe a field study of biofouling and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of admiralty brass heat exchanger tubes in contact with running fresh water on the river Tagus close to Almaraz nuclear power plant in Spain. Dezincification originated by biofouling and MIC was studied using impedance, polarization resistance, gravimetric, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Close correlation was observed between the biofilms formed and the corrosion process (dezincification) using the different experimental techniques. Impedance data showed a capacitive behavior including two time constants. Kramers-Kronig (KK) transforms were used to validate impedance data. The admiralty tubes' impedance data satisfied the KK relations.
Ibars
J R
JR
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Departamento de Ingeniería y Ciencia de los Materiales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006, Spain.
Polo
J L
JL
Moreno
D A
DA
Ranninger
C
C
Bastidas
J M
JM
D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D003343:Corrosion; D017377:Diatoms / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013499:Surface Properties; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
C048399:brass; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc