CORROSION-RESISTANCE OF METALS IN HOT HYDROXIDE SOLUTIONS

The effect of the nature, concentration, and temperature of a hydroxid e on the corrosion resistance of Russian steels and alloys was studied in hot NaOH, KOH, and LiOH solutions. Special attention was paid to t he susceptibility of the metal to corrosion cracking. The corrosivity of hydroxides with respect to the stainless steels and nickel alloys w as found to increase in the series LiOH < KOH < NaOH. Isocorrodes for a level of 0.1 mm/year were constructed for all the materials in the u nmixed and chlorate-containing solutions of sodium and potassium hydro xides. Temperature and concentration ranges wherein stainless steels a nd nickel alloys reveal a noticeable tendency to cracking were found f or the hydroxide solutions.