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Corrosion
Corrosion is one of the most common phenomena that we observe in our daily lives. You must have noticed that some objects
made of iron are covered with an orange or reddish-brown coloured layer at some point in time. The formation of this layer is
the result of a chemical process known as rusting, which is a form of corrosion.
Cossorion, in general, is a process through which refined metals are converted into more stable compounds such as metal
oxides, metal sulfides, or metal hydroxides. Likewise, the rusting of iron involves the formation of iron oxides via the action of
atmospheric moisture and oxygen. If we look at the science behind corrosion then we can say that it is a spontaneous/
irreversible process wherein the metals turn into a much stable chemical compound like oxides, sulphides, hydroxides, etc. We
shall delve deeper into the concept of corrosion and understand its different factors including its meaning, types, prevention
and more in this lesson.
Table of Content
Corrosion Definition
Factors Affecting
Corrosion
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Types of Corrosion
Corrosion Examples and Reactions
Prevention of Corrosion
Corrosion Definition
What is Corrosion? It is basically defined as a natural process that causes the transformation of pure metals into undesirable
substances when they react with substances like water or air. This reaction causes damage and disintegration of the metal
starting from the portion of the metal exposed to the environment and spreading to the entire bulk of the metal.
Corrosion is usually an undesirable phenomenon since it negatively affects the desirable properties of the metal. For example,
iron is known to have good tensile strength and rigidity (especially alloyed with a few other elements). However, when subjected
to rusting, iron objects become brittle, flaky, and structurally unsound. On the other hand, corrosion is a diffusion-controlled
process and that it mostly occurs on exposed surfaces. Therefore, in some cases, attempts are made to reduce the activity of
the exposed surface and increase a material’s corrosion resistance. Processes such as passivation and chromate conversion
are used. However, some corrosion mechanisms are not always visible and they are even less predictable.
Alternatively, corrosion can be classified as an electrochemical process since it usually involves redox reactions between the
metal and certain atmospheric agents such as water, oxygen, sulphur dioxide, etc.
Do All Metals Corrode?
Metals placed higher in the reactivity series such as iron, zinc, etc. get corroded very easily and metals placed lower in the
reactivity series like gold, platinum and palladium do not corrode. The explanation lies in the fact that corrosion involves the
oxidation of metals. As we go down the reactivity series tendency to get oxidised is very low (oxidation potentials is very low).
Also read: Oxidation and Reduction (https://byjus.com/chemistry/oxidation-and-reduction/)
Interestingly, aluminium doesn’t corrode unlike other metals even though it is reactive. This is because aluminium is covered by
a layer of aluminium oxide already. This layer of aluminium oxide protects it from further corrosion.
Factors Affecting Corrosion
1. Exposure of the metals to air containing gases like CO2, SO2, SO3 etc.
2. Exposure of metals to moisture especially salt water (which increases the rate of corrosion).
3. Presence of impurities like salt (eg. NaCl).
4. Temperature: An increase in temperature increases corrosion.
5. Nature of the first layer of oxide formed: some oxides like Al2O3 forms an insoluble protecting layer that can prevent further
corrosion. Others like rust easily crumble and expose the rest of the metal.
6. Presence of acid in the atmosphere: acids can easily accelerate the process of corrosion.
Rate of Corrosion
The Deal–Grove model is often used to describe the formation of an oxide layer. This model helps in predicting and controlling
oxide layer formation in a lot of diverse situations. Alternatively, the weight loss method is also used to measure corrosion. In
this method, a clean weighed piece of the metal or alloy is exposed to the corrosive environment for a certain duration. This is
followed by a cleaning process that removes the corrosion products. The piece is then weighed in to determine the loss of
weight.
The rate of corrosion (R) is calculated as;
R=
kW ​
ρAt
Where,
k = constant,
W = weight loss of the metal in time t,
A = surface area of the metal exposed,
ρ is the density of the metal (in g/cm³).
Types of Corrosion
Some of the corrosion types include;
(i) Crevice Corrosion
Whenever there is a difference in ionic concentration between any two local areas of a metal, a localized form of corrosion
know as crevice corrosion can occur. In a simple instance, this form of corrosion mostly occurs in confined spaces (crevices).
Examples of areas where crevice corrosion can occur are gaskets, the undersurface of washers, and bolt heads. All grades of
aluminium alloys and stainless steels also undergo crevice corrosion. This is mainly because of the formation of a differential
aeration cell that leads to the formation of corrosion inside the crevices.
(ii) Stress Corrosion Cracking
Stress Corrosion Cracking can be abbreviated to ‘SCC’ and refers to the cracking of the metal as a result of the corrosive
environment and the tensile tress placed on the metal. It often occurs at high temperatures.
Example: Stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steel in chloride solution.
(iii) Intergranular Corrosion
Intergranular corrosion occurs due to the presence of impurities in the grain boundaries that separate the grain formed during
the solidification of the metal alloy. It can also occur via the depletion or enrichment of the alloy at these grain boundaries.
Example: Aluminum-base alloys are affected by IGC.
(iv) Galvanic Corrosion
When there exists an electric contact between two metals that are electrochemically dissimilar and are in an electrolytic
environment, galvanic corrosion can arise. It refers to the degradation of one of these metals at a joint or at a junction. A good
example of this type of corrosion would be the degradation that occurs when copper, in a salt-water environment, comes in
contact with steel.
Example: When aluminium and carbon steel are connected and immersed in seawater, aluminium corrodes faster and steel is
protected.
(iv) Pitting Corrosion
Pitting Corrosion is very unpredictable and therefore is difficult to detect. It is considered one of the most dangerous types of
corrosion. It occurs at a local point and proceeds with the formation of a corrosion cell surrounded by the normal metallic
surface. Once this ‘Pit’ is formed, it continues to grow and can take various shapes. The pit slowly penetrates metal from the
surface in a vertical direction, eventually leading to structural failure it left unchecked.
Example: Consider a droplet of water on a steel surface, pitting will initiate at the centre of the water droplet (anodic site).
(v) Uniform Corrosion
This is considered the most common form of corrosion wherein an attack on the surface of the metal is executed by the
atmosphere. The extent of the corrosion is easily discernible. This type of corrosion has a relatively low impact on the
performance of the material.
Example: A piece of zinc and steel immersed in diluted sulphuric acid would usually dissolve over its entire surface at a
constant rate.
(vi) Hydrogen Grooving
This is a corrosion of the piping by grooves that are formed due to the interaction of a corrosive agent, corroded pipe
constituents, and hydrogen gas bubbles. The bubbles usually remove the protective coating once it comes in contact with the
material.
(vii) Metal Dusting
Metal dusting is a damaging form of corrosion that occurs when vulnerable materials are exposed to certain environments with
high carbon activities including synthesis gas. The corrosion results in the break-up of bulk metal to metal powder. Corrosion
occurs as a graphite layer is deposited on the surface of the metals from carbon monoxide (CO) in the vapour phase. This
graphite layer then goes on to form meta-stable M3C species (where M is the metal) that usually moves away from the metal
surface. In some cases, no M3C species may be observed. This means that the metal atoms have been directly transferred into
the graphite layer.
(viii) Microbial Corrosion
Microbial corrosion which is also known as microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), is a type of corrosion that is caused
by microorganisms. The most common one is chemoautotrophs. Both metallic and non-metallic materials either in the
presence or absence of oxygen can be affected by this corrosion.
(viii) High-temperature Corrosion
High-temperature corrosion as the name suggests is a type of corrosion of materials (mostly metals) due to heating. Chemical
deterioration of metal can occur due to a hot atmosphere that contains gases such as oxygen, sulfur, or other compounds.
These compounds are capable of oxidizing the materials (metals in this case) easily. For example, materials used in car
engines have to resist sustained periods at high temperatures during which they can be affected by an atmosphere containing
corrosive products of combustion.
Corrosion Examples, Reactions and Effects
Here are some of the typical examples of corrosion as seen mostly in metals.
1. Copper Corrosion
When copper metal is exposed to the environment it reacts with the oxygen in the atmosphere to form copper (I) oxide which is
red in colour.
2Cu(s) + ½ O2(g) → Cu2O(s)
Cu2O further gets oxidised to form CuO which is black in colour.
Cu2O(s) + ½ O2(g) → 2CuO(s)
This CuO reacts with CO2, SO3 and H2O (present in the atmosphere to form Cu2(OH)2(s) (Malachite) which is blue in colour and
Cu4SO4(OH)6(s) (Brochantite) which is green in colour.
This is why we observe copper turning bluish-green in colour.
A typical example of this is the colour of the statue of liberty which has the copper coating on it turning blue-green in colour.
2. Silver Tarnishing
Silver reacts with sulphur and sulphur compounds in the air give silver sulphide (Ag2S) which is black in colour. Exposed silver
forms Ag2S as it reacts with the H2S(g) in the atmosphere which is present due to certain industrial processes.
2Ag(s) + H2S(g) → Ag2S(s) + H+2+(g)
3. Corrosion of Iron (Rusting)
Rusting of iron which is the most commonly seen example happens when iron comes in contact with air or water. The reaction
could be seen as a typical electrochemical cell reaction. Consider the diagram given below.
Here metal iron loses electrons and gets converted to Fe{aq}2+ (this could be considered as the anode position). The electrons
lost will move to the other side where they combine with H+ ions. H+ ions are released either by H2O or by H2CO3 present in the
atmosphere(this could be considered as the cathode position).
H2O
⇌
H+ + OH–
⇌
H2CO3
2H+ + CO32
The Hydrogen thus formed by the reaction of H+ and electrons react with oxygen to form H2O.
Anode reaction
​
0
​
2Fe(s) → 2Fe2+ + 4e– εF e2+ /F e = – 0.44 V
Cathode reaction
2
O2(g) + 4H + (aq) + 4e− ⟶ H 2 O(l) E o H + /O2 /H 2 /O = 1.23V
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Overall reaction
2Fe(s) + O2(g) + 4H+(aq) → 2Fe2+(aq) + 2H2O(l)Eocell = 1.67V
The Fe2+ ions formed at the anode react with oxygen in the atmosphere, thereby getting oxidised to Fe3+ thereby forming Fe2O3
which comes out in the hydrated form as Fe2O3.xH2O
Fe2+ + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3
Fe2O3 + xH2O → Fe2O3. xH2O (rust)
Also Read: Rusting of Iron and Prevention (https://byjus.com/chemistry/rusting-iron-prevention/)
Other examples include,
Corrosion of Zinc when it reacts with oxygen and HCl to form white coloured ZnCl2.
Corrosion of Tin to form black coloured Na2[Sn(OH)2].
Effects
Corrosion can have a varying degree of effect on a lot of things. As such, it mainly causes waste of natural resources.
Additionally, it can further cause hazardous situations such as building structures becoming weak and unstable, accidents
caused by corroded parts as well as other unwanted failures such as cracked pipelines, bridge collapsing, transport vehicle
crashes or other catastrophes. It is therefore important to check and prevent corrosion at all costs.
Prevention of Corrosion
Preventing corrosion is of utmost importance in order to avoid huge losses. The majority of the structures that we see and use
are made out of metals. This includes bridges, automobiles, machinery, household goods like window grills, doors, railway lines,
etc. While this is a concerning issue, several treatments are used to slow or prevent corrosion damage to metallic objects. This
is especially done to those materials that are frequently exposed to the weather, saltwater, acids, or other hostile
environments. Some of the popular methods to prevent corrosion include;
Electroplating
Galvanization
Anodization
Passivation
Biofilm Coatings
Anti-Corrosion Protective Coatings
Painting and Greasing
Use of Corrosion Inhibitor or drying agents
Periodic cleaning of metal surface
Read in Detail Here: How Can Corrosion Be Prevented? (https://byjus.com/jee-questions/how-can-corrosion-be-prevented/)
Test Your Knowledge on Corrosion
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Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button
Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz
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