Notes for Copper Alloy Corrosive Table

I. Sour Crude

A. No water

B. Corrosion can be high at temperatures > 450F.

II. Produced water

A. High zinc alloys (tin bronzes) can suffer stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in the presence of ammonia from decaying organic matter.

III. Seawater

A. Copper and high copper alloys: Max velocity = 3 ft/sec.

B. Tin brasses: Max velocity = 6 ft./sec.

C. Aluminum bronzes: Max velocity = 9 ft./sec.

D. Copper-nickels: Max velocity = ~12 ft./sec.

IV. Produced water with CO2

A. Air (oxygen) increases corrosion rates.

V. Vapors

A. Resistance based on condensing conditions

B. Dry vapors up to 100^oC are non corrosive.

C. Tin brasses are susceptible to SCC in moist air containing SO₂

VI. Acids

A. Resistance data is based on mild temperatures (<~120F). Elevated temperatures can accelerate corrosion rates significantly.

B. No oxidizing contaminants.

VII. Aqueous amines

A. The available data for aqueous amines is sketchy. The copper and copper alloys exhibit good corrosion resistance to dry amine solutions; however, corrosion in amine solutions can be high, particularly in strong, hot amine solutions with air or oxidizing agents. Amines have also been documented as causing SCC of copper and copper alloys, similar to that of ammonia, possibly promoted by the breakdown of the amine into ammonia. Therefore, the resistance of copper and copper alloys in amine solutions should be considered similar to that in ammonia, but less severe. Cold, dilute amine solutions may be tolerated by the copper alloys exhibiting some ammonia SCC resistance, i.e., the coppers, high copper alloys, and the copper nickels.

< < < click here to go back to the previous page  ::