A laboratory study of the failure analysis of copper tube used in the air conditioning heat exchanger

The failure behavior and the failure mechanisms of the copper tube used in the air conditioning heat exchanger were analyzed using macrostructure and microstructure examination and the chemical composition analysis of the corrosion products. Results showed that the corrosion of the exterior surface of the copper tube should be responsible for the failure of the air conditioning heat exchanger. The chemical compositions of the corrosion products mainly included Cu, O, C, P, S, Cl, and so forth. The corrosion mechanisms were electrochemical corrosion under the circumstances of a humid environment, oxygen, and some corrosive medium. The corrosive media were organic carboxylic acids, Cl⁻, H₂S, and SO₂, which came from air pollutants, the combustion of fuels, the automobile exhaust, and the industrial waste gas. One or more electrochemical corrosion destroyed the integrity of the copper tube and led to the failure of the air conditioning heat exchanger in advance.