Methodology

1. The solution was prepared by varied the pH value which are acid (less
than 5), neutral (7), and alkali (more than 7).
2. Distilled water was used as a balancer to make the solution more neutral
or less acid.
3. The pH value was recorded.
4. For the steel rods preparation, it was rubbed by using sand paper until the
surface of the rod is clear from rust which had been done previously.
5. After that, the rods were immersed in a Hydrochloric Acid solution for 2
minutes and placed it in an oven for 2 minutes.
6. Every each of the rods was weighted by using electronic balance and the
values were recorded.
7. Then, the rods were immersed in an acidic solution/neutral
solution/alkaline solution in a container that can supply oxygen in it (in
type of bubble).
8. The experiment was left for 7 days.
9. The rods were taken out from the solution and weighted.
10.The data was observed and recorded.
11.The rate of corrosion was calculated.

Results
For acidic solution

pH before = 1.35

pH after = 0.85

Time = 604800s

Steel rods 1 2 3
Initial weight 18.061 18.097 16.411
Final weight 16.793 17.389 15.637
Difference in 1.268 0.708 0.774
weight
Rate of Reaction 2.097 x 10-6 1.171 x 10-6 1.280 x 10-6

For neutral solution

pH before = 4.43

pH after = 5.62

Time = 604800s

Steel rods 1 2 3
Initial weight 17.491 18.809 18.203
Final weight 17.487 18.814 18.260
Difference in 0.004 -0.005 -0.057
weight
Rate of Reaction 6.614 x 10-9 -8.267 x 10-9 -9.425 x 10-8

For alkaline solution

pH before = 4.43

pH after = 5.62

Time = 604800s

Steel rods 1 2 3
Initial weight 15.895 18.028 17.553
Final weight 15.855 18.015 17.512
Difference in 0.04 0.013 0.041
weight
Rate of Reaction 6.614 x 10-8 2.149 x 10-8 6.779 x 10-8
For stress rod

pH before = 1.20

pH after = 1.13

Time = 604800s

Steel rods 1 2 3
Initial weight 15.591 18.939 17.203
Final weight 14.760 18.246 16.499
Difference in 0.831 0.693 0.704
weight
Rate of Reaction 1.374 x 10-6 1.146 x 10-6 1.164 x 10-6

Calculation

wiwf
=Rf
t

0.831

604800

6
1.374 x 10
Literature Review

1. The corrosion of structural steel is an electrochemical process that

requires the simultaneously presence of moisture and oxygen. The iron in
the steel is oxidised to produce rust, which occupies approximately six
times the volumes of the original material. (www.steelconstruction.info)
2. Initial attack occurs at anodic areas on the surface, where ferrous ions go
into solution. Electrons are released from the anode and move through the
metallic structure to the adjacent cathodic sites on the surface, where
they combine with oxygen and water to form hydroxyl ions.
3. Any material made with iron that is exposed to both oxygen and water will
rust. Because steel is made almost entirely of iron, it is the most highly
manufactured man made material that is subject to rust.
(www.capitalsteel.net)
4. Rust only forms on the outside of a metal surface because it requires
exposure of oxygen and water to rust. (www.capitalsteel.net)
5. Higher pH means fewer free hydrogen ions, and that a change of one pH
unit reflects a tenfold change in the concentrations of the hydrogen ions.
6. Low pH acid waters accelerate corrosion by providing a plentiful supply of
hydrogen ions.
7. Corrosion rate is expressed in terms of thickness or weight loss where the
surface of the metal corrodes uniformly across the area that has been
exposed. (www.corrosionpedia.com)