Effect of connection type on galvanic corrosion between lead and copper pipes. Issue 10 (1st October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clark, Brandi; Cartier, Clément; Clair, Justin St.; Triantafyllidou, Simoni; Prévost, Michèle; Edwards, Marc
• Is Part Of: Journal ‐ American Water Works Association. Volume 105:Issue 10(2013)
• Page Start: E576
• Page End: E586
• Publication Date: 2013-10-01
• Subjects: brass connector(s) -- crevice corrosion -- dielectric(s) -- galvanic corrosion -- partial lead service line replacement -- Lead -- Lead Pipe -- Corrosion -- Copper -- Copper Pipe; Water-supply -- United States -- Periodicals; Water-supply engineering -- United States -- Periodicals; 363.61097305
• DOI: 10.5942/jawwa.2013.105.0113
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-150X

Abstract

Abstract : Pipe connectors can significantly influence galvanic corrosion between lead and copper pipes by distancing the lead from copper pipe, introducing a third metal, and forming crevices. In this study, the effects of distance, connector material, and crevices on galvanic corrosion were examined, and bench‐scale comparison testing of commercial connectors was conducted using real tap waters. Brass connectors were found to only slightly decrease (< 25%) the galvanic current that sacrifices, or corrodes, lead pipe, with higher reductions for brasses with higher zinc content. Crevices in brass connectors contained water with extremely high levels of lead (up to 9.4 × 10 6 μg/L); in bench‐scale tests, crevices produced approximately four times more lead release to the water than did direct connections.