Identification of the corrosion products formed on copper in sulfur containing environments

Tarnishing layers grown on copper exposed to air contaminated by traces of sulfur dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide were detected by a coulometric and characterized by a chemical method. Depending on the nature of the corrosive gas, or on the use of a gas mixture, it was found that sulfate, sulfide, oxides or a mixed oxide‐sulfide compound could be formed in these conditions. The same tarnishing products were found, either in hydrogen sulfide or in a sulfur dioxide + hydrogen sulfide mixture, and the same linear growth law of the copper (I) sulfide was also found, within the limits of the duration of the corrosion test, in the two gaseous environments.