Influence of Sacrificial Anode Materials on Corrosion Behavior of B30 Cu-Ni Alloy Heat Transfer Tubes in a Simulated System of Circulating Seawater

doi:10.11902/1005.4537.2025.274

Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection

2026, Vol. 46

Issue (4): 1139-1147 DOI: 10.11902/1005.4537.2025.274

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Influence of Sacrificial Anode Materials on Corrosion Behavior of B30 Cu-Ni Alloy Heat Transfer Tubes in a Simulated System of Circulating Seawater

XU Huiqiang¹, LAI Changqing², WANG Xixi², WANG Ziming²(

)

^1.No. 703 Research Institute of CSSC, Harbin 150000, China
^2.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

Cite this article:

XU Huiqiang, LAI Changqing, WANG Xixi, WANG Ziming. Influence of Sacrificial Anode Materials on Corrosion Behavior of B30 Cu-Ni Alloy Heat Transfer Tubes in a Simulated System of Circulating Seawater. Journal of Chinese Society for Corrosion and protection, 2026, 46(4): 1139-1147.

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Abstract

The B30 heat transfer tubes on the seaward side of the vessel are critical components of the steam-powered support system and are exposed to the risk of seawater corrosion during service. In this study, a laboratory-scale simulated system of circulating seawater for heat transfer tubes was established. By installing zinc and iron sacrificial anodes separately, the effect of these anodes on the corrosion behavior of the heat transfer tubes were investigated. The findings revealed that, compared with the condition without sacrificial anodes, both zinc and iron sacrificial anodes can all slow down the corrosion of the heat transfer tubes, resulting in lower concentrations of dissolved Cu²⁺ ions in the water. Meanwhile, it was discovered that the effectiveness of sacrificial anode protection correlates with spatial distance, whilst the potential fluctuating along the pipeline may result in varying degrees of protection at different distances on the pipeline. The conclusions of this study provide experimental evidence and recommendations for the rational design of ship condenser heat exchanger piping, particularly regarding the selection and installation of sacrificial anodes.

Key words: sacrificial anode B30 heat transfer tube corrosion resistance electrochemical corrosion

Received: 29 August 2025 32134.14.1005.4537.2025.274

ZTFLH:

TG174

Fund: National Natural Science Foundation of China(52271075)

Corresponding Authors: WANG Ziming, E-mail: zmwang@xmu.edu.cn

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https://www.jcscp.org/EN/10.11902/1005.4537.2025.274 OR https://www.jcscp.org/EN/Y2026/V46/I4/1139

Fig.1 Potential monitoring data at 0 m (a), 0.5 m (b), 1.0 m (c) and 1.5 m (d) from the bottom of the heat transfer tube for static 0.5 h (a1-d1), 9 h (a2-d2) and 23 h (a3-d3)

Fig.2 Typical corrosion morphology of the inner wall of a heat transfer tube in an iron sacrificial anode system (No. XF01-12)

Fig.3 Surface analysis diagram of a typical iron anode copper tube specimen (a, c) test area diagram showing typical corrosion morphology at XF09-10 cm and XF35-110 cm locations，(b, d) typical corrosion morphology images of XF09-10cm and XF35-110, (e, f) cross-sectional profile diagrams of test specimens (Fig.3a) and (Fig.3c)

Fig.4 Surface analysis diagram of a typical zinc anode copper tube specimen: (a) test area diagram showing typical corrosion morphology at XZ12-40 cm locations, (b) typical corrosion morphology images of XZ12-40 cm, (c) cross-sectional profiles of specimen in (a)

Fig.5 Surface analysis diagram of a typical anode-free copper tube specimen: (a, c) test area diagram showing typical corrosion morphology at XW24-60 cm and XW28-60 cm locations, (b, d) typical corrosion morphology images of XW24-60 cm and XW28-60 cm, (e, f) are cross-sectional profile diagrams of test specimens at Fig.5a and Fig.5c

Fig.6 XRD pattern of three prototype samples

Fig.7 Analysis of typical corrosion product compositions on the surfaces of the prototype samples: (a) XF 35-110 cm, (b) XZ50-0 cm, (c) XZ50-40 cm, (d) XW24-60 cm

Fig.8 XPS results of prototype samples, (a) Cu elemental spectrum, (b) Ni elemental spectrum, (c) Fe elemental spectrum of XF prototype sample, (d) Zn elemental spectrum of XZ prototype sample

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