SELECTIVE LEACHING

(DEALLOYING)
IB.PT.PUTRA.MAHARTANA
(2111100177)
I GEDE BRAHMANDA ADITYA PARAMARTHA
(21111000146)

INTRODUCTION
c16f21
Selective Leaching
Preferred corrosion of
one element/constituent
[e.g., Zn from brass (Cu-Zn)].
Dezincification.

SELECTIVE LEACHING

The

removal
of
one
element from a solid
solution alloy by corrosion
processes.

That

element is more
susceptible to corrosion
than the rest, more active
electrochemically and are
anodically
dissolved
in
galvanic contact with the
more noble elements.

Uniform dezincification

Localized dezincification

more anodic

more cathodic

EMF series
metal
Au
Cu
Pb
Sn
Ni
Co
Cd
Fe
Cr
Zn
Al
Mg
Na
K

o
Vmetal
+1.420 V
+0.340
- 0.126
- 0.136
- 0.250
- 0.277
- 0.403
- 0.440
- 0.744
- 0.763
- 1.662
- 2.363
- 2.714
- 2.924

Susceptibility to dealloying depends on

Alloy composition
Environment

Alloy Composition

Environment

Element removed

Brasses

Many waters, especially

under stagnant
conditions

Zinc

Gray iron

Soils, many waters

Iron

Aluminum bronzes

Hydrofluoric acid, acids

containing chloride ions

Aluminum

Silicon bronzes

High-temperature steam
and acidic species

Silicon

Tin bronzes

Hot brines or steam

Tin

Gold alloys with copper

or silver

Sulfide solutions, human

saliva

Copper, silver

Dezincification
Occurs in brass alloys that contain more than 15% zinc
Zinc in solid solution within copper crystal lattice
Zinc atoms dissolve into electrolyte

Zinc
Copper

MECHANISM
Generally three mechanisms are proposed

1. Dissolution and redeposition mechanism

Entire alloy is dissolved first
More noble metal is replated ( eg. Cu in Brass)
Active metal is leached away ( eg. Zn in Brass )

2. Selective dissolution
One species is selectively dissolved from alloy leaving a
porous residue of more noble metal behind

3. Combination of two methods

TYPES
Two forms of dezincification
Overall dimensions of the material do not change
Dezincified areas weakened or in some cases perforated

Uniform layer dezincification

Dezincified layer

Localized (Plug) dezincification

Uniform dezincification
Bulk electrolyte sufficiently corrosive to promote dealloying
Uniform layer dezincification in brass heat-exchanger tube

Dezincified
metal

Outer
tube wall

Courtesy of James J. Dillon. Permission granted by Nalco

Chemical Company, 1987.

0.500 mm
(0.020)

Localized dezincification
Caused by local increases in electrolyte corrosivity
Changes in electrolyte caused by

Deposit on surface

Local increase in temperature

Brass (Cu-30% zinc) exposed to room temperature salt solution for 80 days

0.110 mm
(0.0042)
Reprinted with permission of ASM International. All rights reserved.

PREVENTION
Reducing the aggressiveness of the
environment (i.e. oxygen removal)

Use less susceptible material:

15% Zn (red brass)
Addition 1% Sn to a 70-30 brass (admiralty
metal)

Addition of As, Sb, P as inhibitor (70%Cu,

29% Zn, 1% Sn, 0.04% As)

Cupronickel (70-90%Cu, 30-10%Ni) for

severely corrosive environments.

REFERENCE
Zaki Ahmad Principles of Corrosion Engineering and
Corrosion Control

Mars G Fontanna

Corrosion Engineering