CuZn37 Oxidation / Corrosion

CuZn (Brass)

Cu (Copper)

Zn (Zinc)

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 CuZn37 Oxidation
Basic Background
Background:
• Customer Complain due to Abnormal
Oxidation at terminal 1160

Picture is just for visual oxidation only

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 Chemical View
CuZn (Brass)
Alloy of Cu (Copper) and Zn (Zinc)
Purpose of use :
decorative, bearings, locks & electrical
application

Properties of
CuZn37 : Good workability for cold bending,
drawing, pressing, upsetting, and
Micro structure
rolling. Less corrosion resistance.
The alloys can be easily plated

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 Chemical View
Cu (Copper)
Cu is metal transition between Ni & Zn
Properties : It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and
electrical conductivity (no. 2 after silver)

Chemical view of oxidation & corrosion :

- Corrosion by reacting with metal by different electropotential
- Oxidation by reacting with atmospheric oxygen

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 Chemical View
Zn (Zinc)
Zn or spelter is metal transition between Cu & Ga
Properties : - Uses as is an anti-corrosion agent
- Zn is more reactive than Iron or steel.

Chemical view of oxidation & corrosion :

- Moderately is as anti-corrosion (normal corrosion)
- Oxidation by reacting with atmospheric carbon dioxide (Zn5(OH)6CO3)
- React with alkalis & non metal

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 CuZn37 Oxidation / Corrosion
Process
CuZn37 will automatically react with Atmospheric O2 / CO2
As oxidated surface.

CuZn37 is not resist to Alkalis ( React with Alkalis )

+
Alkalis WHAT IS ALKALIS ?
and or atmospheric carbon dioxide
and or atmospheric Oxygen From where alkalis come to brass ?
Traced oxidized area : Finger print

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 Chemical View
Periodic Table

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Finger print ~ Sweat

Alkali
From where
Sweat Composition of sweat - main component :

Sodium (Na) = 0.9 gr/liter

Potassium (K) = 0.2 gr/liter
Calcium (Ca) = 0.015 gr/liter
Magnesium (mg) = 0.0013 gr/liter
(every individual may vary )

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 Oxydation/Corrosion
Illustration

+ =

Worse case

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 Conclusion

CuZn37, shall be prevented from Alkalis by clean

processing to avoid reaction on Zn within CuZn37.

Due to Alkalis are produced from sweat, naked hand

During manufacturing shall be avoided.

Only one which can not be avoided is nature

(Humidity)

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 Literature

•Wikipedia
•Corrosion & Protection ( by Einar Bardal)

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 END OF
PRESENTATION

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