Abstract

The steel used in the minerals processing as grinding media (balls or bars), is an important input in terms of cost of the process. Considering the importance of the steel consumption in these processes, this work is guided to evaluate to laboratory scale the effect of the anions present in the industrial waters on the electrochemical corrosion of grinding media. Tests in electrochemical cell, were accomplished measuring potential and corrosion current to four electrodes that were manufactured using sufficiently pure samples of chalcopirite, bornite, enargite and steel ball. The ions used in the tests were chlorides, sulfates, nitrates and carbonates in concentrations from 1 to 180 ppm in individual form or in mixtures, according to the levels measurement of these in industrial waters.