Abstract
Pressure oxidation autoclaves for the recovery of gold, copper and other metals operate at corrosive conditions that require specialized materials of construction. Typical autoclave construction consists of carbon steel pressure vessels lined with acid resistant membrane and refractory systems. Auxiliary items such as nozzle liners, compartment walls and baffles utilize titanium or other corrosion resistant metals. The resulting construction is a composite of several dissimilar materials including ceramics, metals, and polymers. Design and construction of autoclaves must coordinate the specific properties of each material used to provide reliable long-term operation.