Corrosion of Copper by Water of Various Temperatures and carbon dioxide contents

An investigation on corrosion of copper exposed to natural soft water with and without humic substances and at different temperatures and carbon dioxide levels is performed. The corrosion rate increases with the carbon dioxide content and is higher in water containing humic matter. For water which does not contain organic matter the corrosion rate increases with the temperature to a maximum at about 50°C and then decreases at higher temperatures. In water containing organic matter no such reductions is found. The corrosion rate is nearly constant from 50°C and up to 70°C. Pitting corrosion on copper is greatest in the temperature region where the surface corrosion is greatest. Iron seems to take part in the reaction process which leads to formation of pitting on copper.