Our industrial copper
tubes and copper pipes can be widely utilized in the design of
seawater systems for their excellent resistance to corrosion and
biofouling and many other excellent properties. Copper corrodes
at negligible rates in unpolluted air, water, and deaerated
nonoxidizing acids. Copper alloy artifacts have been found in
nearly pristine condition after having been buried in the earth
for thousands of years, and copper roofing in rural atmospheres
has been found to corrode at rates of less than 0.4 mm in 200
years.
Copper alloys resist many saline solutions, alkaline solutions,
and organic chemicals. However, copper is susceptible to more
rapid attack in oxidizing acids, oxidizing heavy-metal salts,
sulfur, ammonia (NH3), and some sulfur and NH3 compounds.
Copper is widely used in applications like freshwater and
seawater supply lines, heat exchangers, condensers, shafting,
valve stems, and marine hardware - in which resistance to
seawater, hydrated salt deposits, and biofouling from marine
organisms is important.
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