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Corrosion Theory
Humans have most likely been trying to understand and control corrosion for as long as
they have been using metal objects. The most important periods of prerecorded history are
named for the metals that were used for tools and weapons (Iron Age, Bronze Age). With a few
exceptions, metals are unstable in ordinary aqueous environments. Metals are usually extracted
from ores through the application of aconsiderable amount of energy. Learning the processes that
take place to make even the smallest corrosion reactions and how in turn it relates to human
health are fascinating. Begin your discovery by searching Emagister for online associate
degrees  in science from accredited colleges.

Certain environments offer opportunities for these metals to combine chemically with elements
to form compounds and return to their lower energy levels. A modern and comprehensive
document on the subject is the second edition of the classic CORROSION BASICS textbook.
Some excerpts of that document are used here.

Corrosion is the primary means by which metals deteriorate. Most metals corrode on contact
with water (and moisture in the air), acids, bases, salts, oils, aggressive metal polishes, and other
solid and liquid chemicals. Metals will also corrode when exposed to gaseous materials like acid
vapors, formaldehyde gas, ammonia gas, and sulfur containing gases. Corrosion specifically
refers to any process involving the deterioration or degradation of metal components. The best
known case is that of the rusting of steel. Corrosion processes are usually electrochemical in
nature, having the essential features of a battery.

When metal atoms are exposed to an environment containing water molecules they can give up
electrons, becoming themselves positively charged ions, provided an electrical circuit can be
completed. This effect can be concentrated locally to form a pit or, sometimes a crack, or it can
extend across a wide area to produce general wastage. Localized corrosion that leads to pitting
may provide sites for fatigue initiation and, additionally, corrosive agents like seawater may lead
to greatly enhanced growth of the fatigue crack. Pitting corrosion also occurs much faster in
areas where microstructural changes have occurred due to welding operations.
 The corrosion process (anodic reaction) of the metal dissolving
as ions generates some electrons, as shown in the simple model
on the left, that are consumed by a secondary process (cathodic
reaction). These two processes have to balance their charges.
The sites hosting these two processes can belocated close to
each other on the metal's surface, or far apart depending on the
circumstances. This simple observation has a major impact in
many aspects of corrosion prevention and control, for designing
new corrosion monitoring techniques to avoiding the most
insidious or localized forms of corrosion.

Mixed potential theory, Other corrosion models, Why Metals Corrode?

Evolution of Hydrogen on Zinc: a Model and a Picture

Historical Theories on Corrosion

FACTORS INFLUENCING CORROSION REACTIONS

The following is an excerpt form a textbook that was published more that eighty years ago
by Frank N. Speller. If you read this text carefully and compare it with what is said in modern
corrosion basic courses, you may be surprised on how little the messages have changed. (see
FACTS)

In any discussion of the mechanism of a chemical reaction it is advisable to separate the factors

which determine the tendency or driving force of the reaction to proceed from those which
influence the rate of the reaction made possible by the existence of this tendency. This tendency
is an expression of the fact that the system is not in a state of equilibrium (or inherent stability);
it is measured by the difference in energy between the initial and final state of the system for any
particular case. In most cases the observed rate is determined not by the absolute magnitude of
this tendency but by other factors, which depend primarily upon the environment.
In considering the group of three typical reactions involved in corrosion, we shall denote as
primary factors those which determine the tendency of the metal to corrode and thus influence its
initial rate of solution and as secondary factors those which influence the rate of the subsequent
reactions. This term in no wise implies that these secondary factors are of lesser importance; in
fact, by influencing the nature and distribution of the final corrosion products, they usually
determine the ultimate rate of corrosion, and the useful life of the metal, in each environment.

In the general case, some one or two of the many factors involved exert outstanding influence
upon the ultimate rate of corrosion; these we term controlling or dominant factors. In general, the
primary factors have to do with the metal (or alloy) itself ; the secondary factors more with the
specific environment. It is convenient to divide them in this way, although no sharp distinction
can be made.

Accordingly on this basis we list below some of the more important factors, discussing their
general significance with respect to the mechanism of corrosion, and postponing until later
chapters the detailed discussion of others.

Factors Associated Mainly with the Metal

 Effective electrode potential of a metal in a solution
 Overvoltage of hydrogen on the metal
 Chemical and physical homogeneity of the metal surface
 Inherent ability to form an insoluble protective film
Factors Which Vary Mainly with the Environment
 Hydrogen-ion concentration (pH) in the solution
 Influence of oxygen in solution adjacent to the metal
 Specific nature and concentration of other ions in solution
 Rate of flow of the solution in contact with the metal
 Ability of environment to form a protective deposit on the metal
 Temperature
 Cyclic stress (corrosion fatigue)
 Contact between dissimilar metals or other materials as affecting localized corrosion.