A laboratory study of the effect of acetic acid vapor on atmospheric copper corrosion

Abstract

A study was made of the copper corrosion rate and corrosion products originated by the action of acetic acid vapor at 100% relative humidity. Copper plates were exposed to an acetic acid contaminated atmosphere for a period of 21 days. Five acetic vapor concentration levels were used. The copper corrosion rate was in the range of 1 to 23 mg/din2 day. The corrosion-product layers were characterized using electrochemical, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Thermal and calorimetric studies were also performed. Some of the compounds identified were cuprite (Cu,O), copper acetate hydrate [Cu(CH,COO)22H,O], and copper hydroxide acetate [Cu4(OH)(CH,COO)72H20]. This last compound was also characterized. The thickness of the patina layers was 4 to 8 nm for amorphous cuprite, 11 to 48 nm for cuprite, and 225 nm for copper acetate. The patina, in which the cementation process of different corrosion-product layers plays an important role, is formed by the reaction of acetic vapor with copper through porous cuprite paths.