journal article·2026-02Open access

Service-induced ant-nest corrosion in copper heat exchanger tubes: Mechanistic understanding from multiscale structural and compositional analysis

Lei Wu, Yanting Xu, Songwei Wang, Dayong Chen, Yanxi Zhao, Quanzhong Guo, Yuwei Liu, Zhigang Jia, Gongwang Cao, Chuan Wang

Corrosion Science· Volume 259

Abstract

Ant-nest corrosion in copper heat exchanger tubes was investigated after two months of service using multiscale characterization techniques. Funnel-shaped pits, branched corrosion tunnels, and oxide-filled cavities confirmed ant-nest corrosion as the predominant failure mode. The corrosion products consisted of both stoichiometric and defective Cu 2 O containing oxygen vacancies and nanoscale cracks that were less protective. P segregation (∼2 nm) along grain boundaries promoted corrosion tunnel propagation, while S species were also detected, contributing to pit initiation. A comprehensive mechanism is proposed, highlighting the synergistic roles of carboxylic acids, S species, oxide-filling stress, and alloying effects in driving ant-nest corrosion evolution.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Corrosion Behavior and Inhibition · Hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion behaviors in metals · Copper Interconnects and Reliability

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

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