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IRON PIPES: -
The freshly cast, underground, interior surface of cast-iron pipe has been
found to have a high resistance to corrosion by water. When the surface
was scraped off of the interior of the cast iron, the black phase (between
the metal surface and the gray phase) was found to be ferromagnetic
magnetite (Fe3O4) with a cubical structure. The gray phase on the
internal, exposed surface (adjacent primarily to the magnetite) showed two
or more components under polarized light long, needle-like pyroxenes of
monoclinic structure, such as CaSiO3, or FeSiO3 ; and polyhedron garnets
of cubical structure, such as Ca3Al2(SiO4)2 or Fe3Al2(SiO4 ) 2 . This
silicate "skin" is apparently responsible for the excellent resistance to
corrosion by water. It is, however, quite brittle and therefore only of
academic interest.
Types of Corrosion
Three types of corrosion occur in water mains: galvanic, tuberculation,
and/or pitting:
1. Galvanic: - When two dissimilar metals are in contact and are exposed
to a conductive environment, a potential exists between them and current
flows. This type of corrosion is the result of an electrochemical reaction
when the flow of electric current is an essential part of the reaction.
1. If the product of the calcium hardness times the alkalinity of the water is
less than 100, treatment may be required. Both lime and CO2 maybe
required for proper treatment of the water.
2. If the calcium hardness and alkalinity levels are between 100 and 500,
either lime or Na2CO3 will be satisfactory. The decision regarding which
chemical to use depends on the cost of the equipment and chemicals.
3. If the product of the calcium hardness times the alkalinity is greater than
500, either lime or caustic (Noah) may be used. Soda ash will be ruled out
because of the expense.