High performance materials are currently being evaluated by the U.S. Navy for seawater valve applications. Of particular interest are the galvanic interactions between commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) and 90/10 copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) piping alloys and the prospective valve materials as well as the galvanic relationships between valve body and valve trim materials. Galvanic couples with area ratios representative of piping material : valve body and valve body : valve trim were immersed in quiescent, natural seawater for 180 days. Uncoupled control specimens of the valve and piping materials were also exposed. Test results indicated CP Ti piping compatibility with Ti-45Nb, CP Ti, and Ni-Cr-Mo alloys for valve body and trim. 90/10 Cu-Ni piping material was galvanically compatible with 70/30 Cu-Ni, CW6MC, or stainless alloys such as CN7M, CN3MN, or CK3MCuN for valve body application
(piping : body area ratios of 10:1 or greater). For the valve trim
components in the 90/10 piping system, Alloy 400, CN7M, Alloy 2507, Alloy 6XN, CP Ti, and Ni-Cr-Mo alloys are recommended. Coupling
anodized CP Ti with untreated CP Ti did not result in adverse galvanic effects. Poor performance of cast alloys in the galvanic couple tests emphasized the need for optimum quality castings or utilization of similar wrought compositions to ensure good seawater performance.
Keywords: galvanic corrosion, seawater, copper, copper-nickel, nickel-copper, titanium, stainless, nickel alloys