SEDL / STP / STP175-EB / STP44086S

The Atmospheric Corrosion of Copper-Results of 20-Year Tests

Thompson, D. H.
Research Assistant, Assistant Metallurgist, and Vice-President—Metallurgy and Research, The American Brass Co., Waterbury, Conn.

Tracy, A. W.
Research Assistant, Assistant Metallurgist, and Vice-President—Metallurgy and Research, The American Brass Co., Waterbury, Conn.

Freeman, J. R.
Research Assistant, Assistant Metallurgist, and Vice-President—Metallurgy and Research, The American Brass Co., Waterbury, Conn.

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1956

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Abstract

Eleven brands of copper, in the form of sheet and wire, have been exposed for 20 yr to four outdoor atmospheres in Connecticut. The effect of corrosion has been evaluated by loss in weight, loss in strength, and gain in electrical resistance. Some of the results have been examined by applying an analysis of variance. The mean corrosion rate was found to be on the order of 50 × 10⁻⁶ in. per yr. While the differences were of no practical significance, the purest coppers corroded least, and the arsenical coppers corroded most.