Corrosion at the Polymer-Metal Interface in Artificial Seawater Solutions

Abstract EN

Polymer components for liquid sealing applications are employed in a variety of potentially corrosive environments, such as seawater.

Frequently, corrosion of the metal is found at or adjacent to the rubber-metal interface rather than at a noncontact area.

The corrosion of different metal alloys (titanium, bronze, nickel, aluminum, 316 stainless steel, and 4130 steel) in combination with rubber O-rings (Buna-N and EPDM) of varying internal diameters and cross-sectional shapes in seawater over a period of four years is described herein.

The corrosion of some metals (i.e., 4130 stainless steel) was found to be accelerated through interaction with Buna-N rubber O-rings.

Theories to account for corrosion at the polymer-metal interface, especially with respect to polymer composition and O-ring size and shape, are discussed.