Corrosion failure of titanium tubes of a heat exchanger for the heating of dissolving lye

Corrosion of titanium heat exchangers in the processing sylvinite ore is undesirable from economic, safety, and process sustainability perspectives. Triggered by an industrial case, we investigated extent corrosion during simulated contact with (in dissolving lye) relevant conditions. Detailed characterization failed tubes products was carried out to understand mechanism failure. (Grade 2) at room temperature, 60, 70, 80, 90 °C. After electrochemical surface morphology analysis, found that pitting tube material sharply increased above 80 °C environment (pH 7.1). The failure analysis revealed extensive degradation transgranular cracking through both oxide metal matrix, likely caused a combination high pressure, possible vibrations, build-up lye deposits causing crevices, salt content lye, possibly (copper, iron, zinc) impurities/deposits or on metal, which can catalyze hydrogen evolution.