A survey of Argentinean atmospheric corrosion .2. Copper samples

Copper samples were exposed at six sites with known ambient parameters in Argentina and the atmospheric corrosion was investigated after different outdoor exposition periods. Weight-loss measurements used to determine corrosion damage were complemented with both DC and AC electrochemical techniques, performed in 0.1 M Na2SO4 solution employing the exposed face of the test samples, in order to characterize the protectivenesses of the surface layers generated on copper in the distinct environments. While the ambient aggressiveness could be well evaluated from meteorological and pollution parameters and from weight-loss data, the product protective characteristics estimated through SEM and EDAX observations and electrochemical methods yielded valuable information to understand mechanistic aspects concerning the effects of physical properties, structure and contaminant content of surface corrosion products. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.