A Novel Mechanism of Lead–Tin Solder Spallation in the Presence of Nitrate

IF 8.9 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Environmental Science & Technology Letters Environ. Pub Date : 2025-02-09 DOI:10.1021/acs.estlett.4c0114210.1021/acs.estlett.4c01142

Kathryn G. Lopez*, Chantaly Villalona, Haley Grubbs and Marc Edwards,

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Elevated 90th percentile water lead levels associated with the release of large chunks of lead–tin solder to drinking water were recently attributed to corrosion by nitrate. A new mechanism of water lead contamination via nitrate-induced spallation of solder was elucidated through surface analyses of new solder coupons and harvested pipe samples, bench-scale testing with lead–tin alloys of varying tin content, and electrochemical tests. Nitrate attack was associated with the formation of ammonia and other reduced nitrogen compounds, causing detinning of solder alloys with more than 40% tin by weight and eventually complete detachment of solder from the point of adhesion to copper pipe via the formation of a corrosive microenvironment. Solder spallation was observed in as little as 6 weeks and resulted in 1.3 times more metal weight loss than could be explained by Faraday’s law for both tin and 50/50 lead–tin solder in 32 h electrochemical tests. Understanding this mechanism of attack can help explain and predict water lead contamination events and inform the development of optimal corrosion control strategies for potable water supplies.

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来源期刊

Environmental Science & Technology Letters Environ. ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTALENVIRONMENTAL SC-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

CiteScore

17.90

自引率

3.70%

发文量

163

期刊介绍： Environmental Science & Technology Letters serves as an international forum for brief communications on experimental or theoretical results of exceptional timeliness in all aspects of environmental science, both pure and applied. Published as soon as accepted, these communications are summarized in monthly issues. Additionally, the journal features short reviews on emerging topics in environmental science and technology.