A Little Out of the Norm.

[FishScreener]

Ok, Corrosion class was forty years ago.

Does anyone know why some waters dissolve the zinc out of brass and otehr copper alloys, and some don’t.

I manage forty or so, very small water systems. On some systems the bronze/brass fittings for pex lines get buggy and fail. On others they do just fine with no issues.

I wold like to figure out what in the water chemistry is causing the problem so I can determine which systems need what fittings.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Twowaxhack]

You could use plastic pex fittings. I’ve used stainless pex fittings.

Here’s some good info
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/36280/Zhang_Y_T_2009.pdf?sequence=1

 

[wpns]

It's gotta be either pH or conductivity (easily measured with so-called TDS meters). Not sure there's an easy solution either way, but start with those.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

When I owned a car wash, the hi pH of detergent lines would eat through the brass fittings. I quickly changed all fittings, foam generators, and manifolds to stainless steel. Tubing lines were all poly, generally connected with John Guest push connectors. I believe those are acetyl plastic.

 

[Twowaxhack]

https://www.met-tech.com/brass-plumbing-fittings-dezincification/

 

[Twowaxhack]

Note: Low flow velocities

Also stagnant conditions when the fitting is initially put into service.

 

[wpns]

https://www.met-tech.com/brass-plumbing-fittings-dezincification/

Neat, thanks for the pointer!

/*
The source of aluminum oxide, without significant levels of calcium carbonate or silicon oxide, was unusual and may indicate corrosion of an aluminum component in the system.
*/
Probably the hot water heater anode?

/*
The water should be checked for pH and chlorine content.
*/
And we've come full circle. 8*)

 

[Twowaxhack]

Neat, thanks for the pointer!

/*
The source of aluminum oxide, without significant levels of calcium carbonate or silicon oxide, was unusual and may indicate corrosion of an aluminum component in the system.
*/
Probably the hot water heater anode?

/*
The water should be checked for pH and chlorine content.
*/
And we've come full circle. 8*)

That’s a possibility.

 

[Hamberg]

You could use plastic pex fittings... Here’s some good info...

Ohhh good, only 139 pages, Should be done with that in 2039!

 

[Twowaxhack]

Ohhh good, only 139 pages, Should be done with that in 2039!

In his case I would just use plastic fittings. That’ll solve it.