Influence of the Flowing Conditions on the Galvanic Corrosion of the Copper/AISI 304 Pair in Lithium Bromide Using a Zero-Resistance Ammeter

Abstract

[EN] In this work, the influence of Reynolds number (Re) on the galvanic corrosion of the copper/AISI 304 stainless steel pair in an 850 g/L lithium bromide solution was evaluated in a hydraulic circuit using a zero-resistance ammeter; this technique has the advantages that it can be used without disturbing the system under investigation and in continuous-time. Results show that copper is the anodic member of the pair for all the Re analyzed. The galvanic current density values are always greater under flowing than under stagnant conditions. A general tendency of galvanic current density to decrease with time is observed due to the formation of a film of corrosion products on copper surface. Under flowing conditions, initially, galvanic current density increases with Re; however, with time, this tendency is reversed. As Re increases, greater quantities of corrosion products are initially produced and, as a result, a thicker film is formed.