LAUSR

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to study the corrosion control of B10 copper-nickel alloy using the LiOH-N2H4 compound inhibitors and to evaluate the feasibility of replacing the original inhibitors (NaNO2-Na2MoO4) with the new ones (LiOH-N2H4) for the chilled water system in a nuclear unit. Design/methodology/approach The corrosion resistance performance of B10 copper-nickel alloy was evaluated during the whole replacement process of inhibiters using electrochemical tests and surface analysis techniques. Findings The results indicated that the corrosion of B10 copper-nickel alloy could be prevented effectively using LiOH to increase the pH value of solution higher than 10.0 and using N2H4 to consume dissolved oxygen. During the replacement process of inhibitors from NaNO2-Na2MoO4 to LiOH-N2H4, the corrosion resistance performance of B10 copper-nickel alloy had not decreased greatly. The new LiOH-N2H4 inhibitor, which could enhance the compactness of rust, was able to reduce the corrosion rate of rusted B10 metal. Originality/value It is feasible and operable to replace the NaNO2-Na2MoO4 inhibitors with the LiOH-N2H4 inhibitors for the corrosion prevention of B10 copper-nickel alloy. The research results can provide guidelines for the inhibitor selection of chilled water system in a nuclear unit.