96-12: Analyzing Corrosion Rates of Copper for Open Recirculating Systems

A Total Quality Management (TQM) Program consists of at least three topics: Quality Function Development, Quality Costs and Problem Solving Techniques. This paper reviews five problem solving techniques in order to solve the following problem: "Why are copper corrosion rates as measured by coupon so high in recirculating cooling waters?" The techniques used include brainstorming, flow charts, histograms, and papeto analysis and cause-and effect diagrams. Although copper was the metal of interest, these approaches can be used to study corrosion of other metals or to evaluate any other problem.