The Behavior of Nickel Copper Alloys in Sea Water

The author presents a most complete work relative to corrosion of nickel‐copper and copper‐nickel alloys. The subject is handled in such a manner as to avoid controversial matters and proper emphasis has been given to the several factors which must be considered in selecting a particular alloy for a definite purpose. The article contains something new in describing the resistance of certain alloys to edge corrosion and also the rather definite conclusions relative to the copper content of alloys necessary to resist fouling. SUMMARY The data which have been presented were chosen to illustrate in as general a way as possible the outstanding characteristics of nickel copper alloys with respect to their behavior in sea water. In applying such data to the choice of an alloy for a particular purpose, it is necessary, as was pointed out previously, to consider as well such factors as physical and mechanical properties, availability in the required forms, cost and practical experience. Experience tends in time to integrate all the important factors and for this reason there is appended in Table 14 a list of practical applications of the nickel copper alloys—Monel, 70:30 copper nickel and nickel silver—which have been used most extensively in marine engineering. It is hoped that this list will serve as a useful guide to the choice of the proper alloy for specific purposes.