ABSTRACT

The experiment is carried out to show the effectiveness of the inhibitor to protect metals from

corrosion. Based on our hypothesis, we assumed that magnesium strip and zinc strip can protect

the nails from corrosion. However, tin strip and copper strips cannot protect the nails from

corrosion. Firstly, 5 nails are cleaned by using sandpaper and 4 of them are wrapped by 4

different metal strips. Then, 5 of the nails put inside 5 different petri dishes and pour gelatine

that contain potassium nitrate and phenolftalein into petri dishes. Finally, we can find that the

nails which are wrapped by magnesium strip and zinc strip does not corrode.
 Content
No. subject Page
ABSTRACT 1
CONTENT 2
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Problem statement 4
1.3 Objective 4
1.4 Literature review 4

2 METHODOLOGY
2.1 Material & Apparatus 5
2.2 Procedure

3 OBSERVATION/RESULT/DICUSSION

3.1 Observation/ Result 8

3.2 Dicussion 8

4 CONCLUSION 11

REFERENCES 12
 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

Corrosion is defined as the destruction of metals or alloys by the surrounding

environment through chemical and electrochemical changes.

The chemical equation of rust is:

4Fe + 3O₂ + 2xH₂O Fe₂O₃·xH₂O

Anodes and Cathodes:

In analyzing corrosion, the first thing that must be determined is whether a metal

reacts with its environment. If so, the nature of the reaction must be understood. It is

generally accepted that corrosion processes are caused by the formation of electrochemical

cells. The electrochemical reactions in these cells can be divided into two reactions:

1. Anodic reactions

2. Cathodic reactions

where each reaction is called a half-cell reaction. In the anodic reaction, metal goes into

solution as an ion. The reaction is generally written as:

M Mn+ + ne-

where M is a metallic element, e- is an electron and n is the valence of the metal as an ion.

An example of this is Zinc where:

Zn Zn2+ + 2e-
 In the cathodic reaction, electrons provided by the anode, flow through the metal

until they reach the cathode where they can be combined with positively charged ions. In

acidic solutions this reaction is:

2H+ + 2e- 2H H2(gas)

and in neutral solutions the reaction is: O2 + 2H2O + 4e- 4OH-

Both the anodic and cathodic reactions must occur simultaneously for a corrosion process to

proceed. If both reactions are not occurring, then a charge builds up and the corrosion process

stops. The anodic reaction is generally the simple case of a metal going into solution. However,

a variety of cathodic reactions are encountered depending on the conditions of the process

involved.

1.2 Problem Statement

In our daily life, some of the bridge pillars and hulls of ship are usually attached to zinc

blocks while underground pipelines are tied to bags of magnesium. How does the type of

metal give any effect on the corrosion of iron and why is important to prevent corrosion?

1.3 Objective

There are 2 objectives for us to carry out this experiment.

1. The main objective is to show the effectiveness of the of inhibitor to protect metals

from corrosion.

2. To identify which metal is cheaper and effective.

1.4 Literature Review

Pipelines are the very important energy transmission systems. Over time, pipelines can

corrode. While corrosion could be detected by in-line inspection (ILI) tools, corrosion growth

rate prediction in pipelines is usually done through corrosion rate models. For pipeline integrity

management and planning selecting the proper corrosion ILI tool and also corrosion growth

rate model is important and can lead.

Corrosion in the petroleum industry is one of the crucial failure has to take in

consideration in the design of the oilfield equipment due to not only reducing economic losses

but also to safe and protect the resources.

 METHODOLOGY

2.1 Materials & Apparatus

Materials:

a) 5 nails

b) Magnesium strips

c) Zinc strips

d) Tin strips

e) Copper strips

f) Gelatine

g) Sodium Carbonate

h) Phenolphthalein

i) Sandpaper

j) Distilled water

k) Filter paper

Apparatus:

a) Spatula

b) Glass rod

c) Petri dishes

d) Beaker

e) Magnetic stirrer

f) Magnetic stir bar

g) Scissors

h) Electronic balance
2.2 Procedure

1. Firstly, 5 nails are cleaned by using sand paper.

Picture 1: clean the nail

2. 4 of the nails are wrapped by magnesium strip, zinc strips, tin strips and copper strips.

3. 5 of the nails put into different petri dishes.

Picture 2: 5 nail was put as the picture

4. A filter paper is put on the electronic balance then 10g of gelatine are measured.

Picture 3: gelatine was measured

5. Then 10g of gelatine is poured into a beaker which is filled with water, sodium

carbonate and phenolphthalein.

6. The solution is heated and stirred by using electronic stirrer.

Picture 4: solution was heated and stirred

7. After gelatine is fully solube in the solution, the solution is poured into five of the petri

dishes.

Picture 5: the solution was poured into petri dishes

8. The nails are put 2 days to observe.

 OBSERVATION/RESULT/DISCUSSION
3.1 Observation/Result
Data from the experiment we tablet in the table 1.

Observation
Type Sodium Carbonate Phenolphthalein
Iron nail only Low yellow colour intensity Low pink colour intensity
Iron nail + Magnesium No yellow colour was High pink colour intensity
strip detected

Iron nail + Copper strip High yellow colour intensity Low pink colour intensity

Iron nail + Zinc strip No yellow colour was Medium pink colour
detected intensity
Iron nail + Tin strip Medium yellow colour Low pink colour intensity
intensity
Table 1: observation for 5 different petri dishes

3.2 Discussion

Phenolphthalein is added to detect the presence of hydroxide ion, OHˉ. The present of OHˉ

ions increases the alkalinity of the solution and give pink colour to the solution. Sodium

carbonate solution is added to detect the presence of iron (II) ions, Fe2+ . When Fe2+ ions

presence, a yellow colour produced. The more Fe2+ ions formed, the higher the intensity of

yellow colour produced. Gelatine solution is used to enable to see the yellow and pink colour

in the solution because it is transparent, and it slow down the diffusion process.

For the iron nail only, it used as a control to compare the effect of the other metals on the

rusting of iron. The iron is oxidised to iron (II) ions, Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) + 2eˉ. The oxygen in

the solution together with the water is reduce to hydroxide ions,

O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) + 4eˉ → 4OHˉ (aq). The OHˉ ions combined with 𝐹𝑒2+ to form iron (II)

hydroxide, Fe(OH)₂. Therefore, the concentration of OHˉ is low. Hence, the iron nail rust.
 For the iron nail wrap with magnesium strip, the magnesium is oxidised to magnesium

(II) ions, Mg(s) → Mg2+(aq) + 2eˉ. Iron does not oxidise because magnesium is more

electropositive than iron. Therefore, iron (II) ions does not produce. The oxygen in the solution

together with the water is reduce to hydroxide ions, O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) + 4eˉ → 4OHˉ. The OHˉ

does not combined with Mg2+. Therefore, the concentration of OHˉ is high.

Hence, the iron nail does not rust.

For iron nail wrap with copper strip, the iron is oxidised to iron(II) ions,

Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) + 2e- The copper does not oxidise because iron is more electropositive than

copper. Therefore, iron(II) ions produce. The oxygen in the solution together with the water is

reduceto hydroxide ions, O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) + 4eˉ → 4OHˉ (aq). The OHˉ ions combined with 𝐹𝑒2+

toform iron (II) hydroxide, Fe(OH)₂. Therefore, the concentration of OHˉ is low. Hence, the iron

nail rust.

For iron nail wrap with zinc strip, the zinc is oxidised to zinc(II) ions,

Zn(s)→ Zn2+(aq) + 2eˉ. The iron does not oxidise because zinc is more electropositive than

iron. Therefore, iron(II) ions does not produce. The oxygen in the solution together with the

water is reduce tohydroxide ions, O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) + 4eˉ → 4OHˉ (aq). The OHˉ does not

combined with 𝑍𝑛2+. Therefore, the concentration of OHˉ is high. Hence, the iron nail rust.

For iron nail wrap with tin strip, the iron is oxidised to iron(II) ions,

Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) + 2eˉ. The tin does not oxidise because iron is more electropositive than

tin. Therefore, iron(II)ions produce. The oxygen in the solution together with the water is

reduce to hydroxide ions,O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) + 4eˉ → 4OHˉ (aq). The OHˉ ions combined with

Fe2+ to form iron (II) hydroxide, Fe(OH)₂. Therefore, the concentration of OHˉ is low.

Hence, the iron nail rust.

 The rusty level of iron nail is increase from iron nail wrap with magnesium strip, iron nail

wrap with zinc strip, iron nail only, iron nail wrap with tin strip and iron nail wrap with

copper strip.

The price of the metals are decrease from tin (RM18.80 / 10cm), zinc (RM14.70 / 10cm),

copper (RM9.40 / 10cm), and magnesium (RM6.00 / 10cm).

 CONCLUSION

Through conducting this experiment, it is proven that corrosion of iron is affect by

the electropositivity of the metals it reacted with. The more electropositive metals

would prevent rusting of the iron while the less electropositive metals increasing the

rate of rusting of the iron.

 REFERENCE

1. H.R. Vanaei (2017). A Review on Pipeline Corrosion, In-Line Inspection(ILI), and

Corrosion Growth Rate Models. Accessed in January 2017, from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308016116302150/

2. N.C Hosking (2007). Corrosion Resistance of Zinc-magnesium Coated Steel. Achieved

in September 2007, from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010938X07000911