Failures Investigation of Marine Propellers in Corrosive Environments

Abstract

Marine corrosion failure of fishing boat propellers made of cast Nickel Aluminium Bronze were investigated. Specimens extracted from the corroded propellers were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The alloy comprises several Fe<inf>3</inf>Al (κ<inf>1</inf>, κ<inf>2</inf>, κ<inf>4</inf>), NiAl (κ<inf>3</inf>) type intermetallic precipitates and β’ martensite embedded in Cu-rich α-matrix. Transverse sections of the corroded region showed two distinct zones; a non-uniform top oxide layer and a partially corroded zone with selective corrosion of the β’ martensite which run parallel to the κ<inf>3</inf> precipitates. From the microstructural analysis it is adjudged that the aggressive local corrosion of the matrix is preceded by cracking of the oxide by erosion, cavitation, etc., A slow growth of the oxide layer follows that reduces the corrosion rate. However, the corrosion cycle repeats on erosion or cracking of the oxide layer when the propeller is used in marine waters. Coupon specimens immersed in actual marine conditions is presented that supports the above theory. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.