Ant-nest corrosion of copper tubing in air-conditioning units

Abstract

Ant-nest corrosion is a specific type of premature failure (2-3 months) of copper tubes used in air-conditioning units causing the loss of refrigerant liquid and the consequent environment pollution. It is known that attack requires the simultaneous presence of moisture, oxygen and a corrodent, usually an organic acid, such as formic, acetic, propionic or butyric acid or other volatile organic substances like methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde or acetoaldehyde. Approximately 10% of all premature failures of copper tubes used in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry are the result of ant-nest corrosion. This type of corrosion usually occurs in thin-wall copper pipes, especially when copper is de-sulphurised, and is known by several names: formicary corrosion, unusual corrosion, branched pits, pinhole corrosion, etc.