Corrosion Effects of Liquid Fluorine and Liquid Oxygen On Materials of Construction

The corrosion behavior of materials of construction for handling liquid fluorine and liquid oxygen is summarized. This is an important matter in rocket construction. Even though both of these elements are very reactive, most of the common metals are sufficiently resistant for many applications. The compatibility with these oxidizers of alloys of iron, nickel, copper, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and zirconium is discussed. Corrosion rate data compiled from both published and unpublished sources are presented. The compatibility of non metals and organic materials is also reviewed. Attention is given to the effect of initiating rapid reactions, or burning of both metals and organic materials by compressive impact, tensile impact, friction, wear, and other mechanisms. 4.7, 4.3.5