AWWA JAW10126

In this study, corrosion rates of copper in synthetic water were measured by using an electromechanical method whose results were verified by coupon tests. The synthetic water was prepared to simulate the concentrations of the principal inorganic anions and cations found in the Tolt River. The Tolt River supplies a portion of the water supply for Seattle, Washington. Control of the corrosion rate by either chemical reaction, diffusion of reactive species through the oxide film, or diffusion of reactive species through the solution was examined. Under experimental conditions designed to observe corrosion rates under these processes, the temperature was held constant at 5 C, 15 C, or 25 C, and pH was held constant at a value between 6.0 and 8.3. In general, the corrosion rate decreased with increasing pH and decreasing temperature, although the rates of change varied depending on the type of rate control. Includes 10 references, tables, figures.