Abstract
The corrosion performance of different copper alloys in polluted seawater has been studied. Investigations were conducted to determine the effect of sulf ide on the materials covered with a natural protective film or treated with ferrous sulfate. These studies were done on cathodic (oxygen reduction) and anodic (metal cation dissolution) processes. In the cupronickels, the FeSO4 polarizes the oxygen reduction and moves the pitting potential (Epit) toward more noble values. For the Al-brass and bronze, the cathodic effect is the same, but does not affect the anodic branch. Sulfide catalyzes oxygen reduction, increasing the cathodic currents. In the cupronickels, it also affects the Epit, moving it to values close to the corrosion potential, while it has no effect in the anodic behavior of the Al-brass and bronze. From these studies, the materials recommended for use in polluted seawater are the Al-brasses and bronze.
