Galvanic series of seventeen metals often used in aerated tap water was determined by measuring
corrosion potential. Experimental conditions were selected in considering such systems as water supply,
water cooling, water heating, and water condensing. Galvanic series in sea water are obtainable easily.
However, very few data on galvanic series in tap water are available so far in spite of its extraordinary
importance in life lines. The authors found that the time changes of corrosion potential could be
classified into 5 types depending on metals. Galvanic series in tap water was compared to that in sea
water. The effect of flow was also discussed. The main results in tap water are
(1) the potential of aluminum does not settle down,
(2) the position of stainless steel and copper alloys including pure copper is inversed by giving the flow,
(3) the potential of lead is less noble than in sea water in contrast to the other metals,
(4) the potential differences between stainless steels and copper alloys including pure copper is much
smaller than in sea water.
Keywords: galvanic series, galvanic corrosion, tap water, sea water, building equipment