Pages

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

The Conditions Causing Dezincification of Naval Brass and How to Avoid Them


Naval brass is widely used in marine construction due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and suitability to salt and freshwater settings. Brass is a popular material for propeller shafts, turnbuckles, and valve stems as well as many other marine fittings. However, sometimes, due to certain conditions, naval brass may experience dezincification, a kind of dealloying process wherein Zinc is removed from the alloy and leaves behind a copper-rich metal which is more porous. If you’re a boat maker, here’s what you need to know about the signs of dealloying Zinc, factors that can contribute to dezincification, and how you can prevent it.

Signs and Factors of Dezincification

Brass is in the stage of dezincification if you see dull red spots on the surface after extended exposure to an industrial atmosphere or mildly-acidic waters. You may also find a white substance or mineral stains on the exterior of brass fittings. Water may start weeping from bodies or seals too. Alpha-beta brass used in underground fittings may be prone to breakage once zinc has leached. In addition, meringue dezincification can result in blocked passageways of pipes and valves. Read more on this blog: http://bit.ly/2wwD2FE

No comments:

Post a Comment