Bromine vs. chlorine for materials in...

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Author Message Randall A Chapple, AIA, SE, CCS, LEED AP Senior Member Username: rachapple Post Number: 44 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Tuesday, October 04, 2011 - 12:41 pm:    I know that there have been some discussions on this site with regards to indoor swimming pools and the corrosion of building materials but has anyone had any experience with bromine vs. chlorine as the pool chemical. I believe that bromine is less corrosive but I am not sure to what degree. Any help would be appreciated. James M. Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 97 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2011 - 09:51 am:    Think back to high school chemistry. Note on the periodic table of the elements that fluorine (F) is directly above chlorine (Cl) which is above bromine (Br). This means these elements react similarly with any other particular element or compound but that fluorine reacts more readily than chlorine which reacts more readily than bromine. Bromine is likely less corrosive because it is less reactive than chlorine. As we may also remember heat energy drives reactions. That is why bromine is usually used in hot tubs rather than chlorine. I would think, over time, bromine would contribute to corrosion just as chlorine does but at a slower rate. How much slower I can't say. I offer as an excuse for my spotty knowledge on the subject the fact that my chemistry class met at 8:00am(!) and that was over 30 years ago.