COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Department of Engineering Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry

Mendoza Adrian A. 10/9/2021

Family Name First Name Middle Initial Date Submitted

BSCE – 1 M15 5 Mrs. Dangin

Course & Year Section Group Instructor
Number
Experiment No.__5__

METALS AND SOME ASPECTS OF CORROSION

I. Objectives:
1. To list properties of metals belonging to different families

2. To compare the relative activities of metals

3. To prescribe ways to prevent corrosion

II. Apparatus: 4 22-mm test tubes 10 mL graduated cylinder

4 10-mm test tubes Bunsen burner

16 5-mm test tubes test tube holder

Test tube rack watch glass

III. Materials: Metals solutions H2O

5 pcs. Zn 1 M CuSO4

6 pcs. iron nail 1 M ZnCl₂

5 pcs. Mg 1 M FeCl3

5 pcs. Cu 1 M MgCl 2

1 pc. bent nail 0.1 M K3Fe (CN)6

1 pc. nail wrapped with Cu C20H14O4

1 pc. nail wrapped with Al C14H24O9

IV. Procedure and Observations

The materials that were needed were prepared before the experiment
started. The sample metals that are needed are Mg, Zn, Cu, and Fe. They were
placed under the watch glass and examined for their physical condition,
appearance, and color. The observation was written on the table. The four 22-mm
test tubes were filled with 3 mL of water and two drops of phenolphthalein. The
metals were: magnesium ribbon, zinc, copper, and iron nail in each test tube. Heat
if there is no reaction, then observe the change in color, and balance the chemical
equation. The observation was that the zinc, copper, and iron nails do not react
to the solution while the magnesium ribbon does.
Each of the four 5-mm test tubes contained a magnesium chloride solution
and drops of each metal: a magnesium ribbon in the first test tube, zinc in the
second test tube, copper in the third test tube, and an iron nail in the fourth test
tube. They were observed from time to time for at least 5 minutes if there were
changes. The observation was all the metals do not react to the solution. Another
experiment used four 5-mm test tubes filled with zinc chloride solution, with each
metal magnesium ribbon in the first test tube, zinc in the second, copper in the
third, and iron nail in the fourth, and was observed to see if there were any
changes. The magnesium ribbon was reacted to the solution while the other metal
such as zinc, copper, and iron nail, did not react to the zinc solution. Another
experiment used four 5-mm test tube with copper (II) sulfate solution and placed
each metal: a magnesium ribbon in the first test tube, zinc in the second, copper
in the third, and iron nail in the fourth to see if there were any changes. The metal
that reacted was the magnesium ribbon, zinc, and iron nail while the copper does
not react to the solution. Another used four 5-mm test tubes filled with ferric
chloride solution, with each metal: a magnesium ribbon in the first test tube, zinc
in the second, copper in the third, and an iron nail in the fourth to see if there
were any changes. The observation was the magnesium ribbon and zinc react to
the solution, while the copper and iron nails do not react.
In the four 10-mm test tubes with agar-agar solution, 10 drops of 0.1 M
potassium ferric hexacyanoferrate and 5 drops of 1% phenolphthalein were added.
The straight iron nail, bent nail, nail wrapped with copper wire, and nail wrapped
with aluminum were placed separately in each of the four test tubes. It was
observed for 5 to 10 minutes and was observed if there were any changes with
the color in the head and tip of the 4 metals inside the test tubes. It was removed
and placed in the watch glass, and the copper and aluminum were removed from
the iron nail and observed. The observation was that there was blue color in the
head and tip of the straight iron, bent nail, nail wrapped with copper wire, and nail
wrapped in aluminum.
V. Tables
1. Physical attributes of the metals
Physical state: solid, liquid, gas
Appearance: if regularly shaped, put what shape; otherwise, put “irregular shape

Metals Physical State Appearance Color

Mg Solid Irregular shape Gray
Zn Solid Irregular shape Silver
Cu Solid Irregular shape Reddish
Fe Solid Irregular shape Black

2. Metals in water
Write the products (except for letter d) and balance the chemical equation.
Write NR on the products side if there is no reaction.
Given Balance chemical equation

Mg(s) + H2O(l) → Mg(s) + 2 H2O(l) → Mg (OH)2 (s) + H2 (g)

Zn(s) + H2O(l) → Zn(s) + 2 H2O(l) → NR

Cu(s) + H2O(l) → Cu(s) + H2O(l) → NR

Fe(s) + H2O(g) → FeO(s) + H2 (g) Fe(s) + H2O(g) → FeO(s) + H2 (g) - NR

Fe2+(aq) + OH-(aq) + e- → Fe (OH)3(aq) Fe2+(aq) + OH-(aq) + e- → Fe (OH)3(aq) – NR

3. Summarized all observed results in the table below. If a reaction occurred between
the metal and the solution place a positive sign (+) in the appropriate, box and
give the experimental observation. If no reaction occurred, write a minus sign (-).

SOLUTIONS
Metals MgCl 2 ZnCl2 CuSO4 FeCl 3
Mg - + + +
Zn - - + +
Cu - - - -
Fe - - + -
VI. Discussion of Results
Corrosion is described as an attack on a substance caused by a chemical
reaction with the surrounding medium, most commonly an electrochemical
reaction. Corrosion can be applied to all materials, including non-metals, according
to this definition. In reality, however, corrosion is most commonly associated with
metallic materials (Xyleminc).
In the first table above, the metals that were put in the watch glass and
were observed in their physical state, appearance, and color. The physical state
of all the metals was solid and their appearance was an irregular shape. Their
colors were gray for magnesium ribbon, silver for zinc, reddish for copper, and
black for iron nails. In the test tube with water and phenolphthalein, the
magnesium ribbon only reacted while the other metals did not react to the
solution. On the table above, it was instructed to write the products of each given
reactant and then balance the chemical equation, where the first given was Mg (s)
+ H2O (l) and the missing product was Mg (OH) 2(s) + H2(g). Then the equation was
balanced and the result was Mg(s) + 2H2O (l) → Mg(OH)2(s) + H2(g) because the
magnesium was more reactive than the hydrogen and added 2 to the reactant to
balance the hydrogen. For the given Zn(s) + H2O(l), Cu(s) + H2O(l), Fe(s) + H2O(g) →
FeO(s) + H2(g) and Fe2+(aq) + OH-(aq) + e- → Fe(OH)3(aq), which do not react with the
solution and are labelled “no reaction” in the table above.
In the first column, which has a solution of magnesium chloride, the metals
do not react with the solution because magnesium is more reactive than other
metals. As a result, all the metals were put into a (-) negative, which means they
did not react. It is because the magnesium does not react to the magnesium
chloride. After all, both are the same, which means they are both balanced. Then,
the other metals, such as zinc, copper, and iron, are less reactive than
magnesium. For the zinc chloride solution in the second column, the magnesium
only reacted with the solution because magnesium is more reactive than zinc and
put a (+) positive sign. The metal zinc does not react to the solution because both
are the same and are balanced. The least reactive metals are iron and copper,
which are the reasons why they did not react to the solution and the three metals
that did not react were put a (-) negative sign. For the cupric (II) sulfate solution
in the third column, the magnesium, zinc, and iron are the metals that reacted to
the solution because they are more reactive than copper and were given a (+)
positive sign, while copper is the least reactive to the other metals and was
labelled as (-) negative. For the last column, which is the ferric chloride solution,
magnesium and zinc reacted to the solution because they are more reactive than
the iron and were put (+) positive while the copper was put (-) negative because
it was the least reactive than the iron, and since the iron is both the same and
balanced, they were put into (-) negative sign. The reactivity series was a vertical
model where the most reactive elements like magnesium, zinc, and iron were
placed at the top, and the least reactive elements were placed at the bottom, like
the metal copper (Safe Opedia).
 The role of the agar-agar solution was to cool and stabilize the solution,
which formed a semi-solid gel. For phenolphthalein, it was to detect the formation
or presence of the hydroxide ions. Their goal was to decide which factors tend to
increase or decrease the rate of the corrosion and to spot if the rusting reaction
happens. The metals that were used are the straight iron nail, the bent nail, the
iron nail wrapped with copper wire, and the iron nail wrapped with aluminum. The
head and tip of the iron nail of each metal changed and turned blue because of
the phenolphthalein and they all reacted to the solution.

VII. Significance of the Experiment

The significance of this experiment was to answer the objectives that were
stated above, which were to list the properties of metals belonging to different
families, to compare the relative activities of metals, and to prescribe ways to
prevent corrosion. Then, they discovered how corrosion occurs in metals and how
to prevent it. The metals that cause metals to corrode are metals that, except for
gold, platinum, and a few others, do not exist in their pure form in nature. They
are usually chemically bonded to other ores' components, such as sulphides,
oxides, and so on. Pure metals have more bound energy, indicating a higher
energy state than sulphides or oxides seen in nature.
There are ways to prevent corrosion that are applicable in real life. First,
the barrier coating, where it is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent corrosion
like paint, plastic, or powder. Epoxy, nylon, and urethane powders bond to the
metal surface to form a thin coating. Metal surfaces are frequently treated with
plastic and wax. Paintworks as a barrier, protecting the metal surface from
corrosive chemicals' electrochemical charge. Today's paint systems are made up
of multiple layers of paint that each serve a particular purpose. The priming coat
functions as an inhibitor, the intermediate coat increases the overall thickness of
the paint, and the finish coat gives environmental protection. Second, hot-dip
galvanization is a method of corrosion prevention that involves dipping steel in
molten zinc. The zinc mixes with the iron in the steel to form a closely bound alloy
layer that protects the steel. It has been used to protect objects like artistic
sculptures and playground equipment from rusting. Zinc is also prone to chipping
and peeling. Third, alloyed steel (stainless) was one of the most effective corrosion
preventives because it combined the qualities of multiple metals to provide
increased strength and resistance to the finished product, for example, nickel,
silicon, boron, etc. Fourth, cathodic protection was highly effective. Anodes wear
out and must be checked and/or replaced regularly, raising maintenance
expenses. They also add to the structure's weight and are not always effective in
high-resistance conditions. Lastly, eon coat is a low-cost, low-maintenance, and
simple-to apply the solution that extends the asset's life. It employs a combination
of the methods mentioned above. It alloys the metal first, and then coats it with
a thick coating of inhibitors to repair any damage done to the alloy layer. Eon Coat
is the most environmentally friendly option because it contains no hazardous
chemicals or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (EONCOAT, 2016).
VIII. References
• https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/734/reactivity-series
• https://xapps.xyleminc.com/Crest.Grindex/help/grindex/contents/Metals.htm
• https://eoncoat.com/corrosion-prevention-methods/