Open Access Conference Proceedings

The mechanism of dezincification is a relatively common cause of water networks defects and is involved with the composition and the terms of the water flow. This process is a typical representative of the selective corrosion of brass when a portion of the original material from copper and zinc alloy into a spongioid copper changed. This occurs either in the full layer near the surface, or locally. Spongioid copper has no strength and step by step wall perforation of the product occurs. Dezincification also has a role in the formation of corrosion cracking of brass.This paper deals with the problem at the heat station, after the installation of drinking water dosing of ClO2. After approximately two years the failure occurred of the some components of hot water distribution system. Most notably was the leakage of water in bodies of water gauge and other brass parts. For the assessment of the material state light and SEM microscopy has been used, EDS analysis of chemical composition, microhardness measurement and XRF and XRD analyses for the characterization of corrosion products. The investigation affirmed the original premise of dezincification mechanism of damage as a result of the composition of the flowing media.

Keywords: Dezincification, brass, water supply, chlorides, microstructure

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