Corrosion in fresh water systems: role of metallurgical factors in stability of steel

Corrosion of fresh water systems are studied. Immersion tests under flowing water conditions were performed for periods upto 7 days. Pipe materials selected for this study included commercial alloys commonly used in fresh water systems such as mild steel. At the end of the long term experiment the materials exposed to the water flow were investigated using the SEM technique. The results showed that the morphology of the surface was dependent on the corrosion behaviour during experimentation. Heat treatment plays an important role in material stability in contact with flowing water.