Chapter 17 : Corrosion and Degradation of Materials

What is corrosion and degradation of materials?

deteriorating of materials via chemical/ electro-chemical reactions with their surrounding environments,
is extremely common and costly.

Deteriorating of materials - is a loss in the properties of a material by chemical interaction with the
environment. Harmful effects of deterioration by corrosion can include: Reduction in metal thickness
leading to mechanical/structural failure or breakdown. Reduction in value.
(https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/4/deterioration-corrosion)

Why study Corrosion and Degradation of Materials?

to understand the properties of the materials and causes of corrosion and degradation as a result of its
interaction with its surroundings, and to take measures to prevent them from occurring in order to
design improvements.

For example, we may change the nature of the environment, select a material that is relatively
nonreactive, and/or protect the material from appreciable deterioration.

17.1 INTRODUCTION

Most materials experience some type of interaction with a large number of diverse environments.

such interactions impair a material’s usefulness as a result of the deterioration of its mechanical
properties (e.g., ductility and strength), other physical properties, or appearance.

What Does Deterioration Mean? (search more about deterioration)

Deterioration, in the context of corrosion, is a loss in the properties of a material by chemical interaction
with the environment.

Harmful effects of deterioration by corrosion can include:

 Reduction in metal thickness leading to mechanical/structural failure or breakdown

 Reduction in value
 Contamination of fluid in pipes
Degradation of metals refers to the process by which metals are broken down or corroded over time
due to exposure to various environmental factors.

Corrosion can occur due to chemical reactions with gases, liquids, or other materials in the
environment, or due to electrochemical reactions with other metals.

The most common form of degradation of metals is rusting, which occurs when iron or steel is exposed
to oxygen and water. This causes the metal to oxidize and form a layer of rust on its surface, which
weakens and ultimately destroys the metal. Other types of degradation of metals include pitting, which
is caused by localized corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking, which occurs when a metal is under
stress and exposed to a corrosive environment.

Degradation of metals can have serious consequences, particularly in structural applications such as
bridges, buildings, and pipelines. It can lead to reduced strength, loss of functionality, and ultimately
failure of the structure. Therefore, it is important to take steps to prevent or mitigate corrosion, such as
using protective coatings or sacrificial anodes, designing structures with corrosion-resistant materials,
and regularly inspecting and maintaining metal components.

Degradation (search more about it)

In metals, there is actual material loss either by dissolution (corrosion) or by the formation of
nonmetallic scale or film (oxidation). (search more about it)

Ceramic materials are relatively resistant to deterioration, which usually occurs at elevated
temperatures or in rather extreme environments; the process is frequently also called corrosion. (search
more about it)

For polymers, mechanisms and consequences differ from those for metals and ceramics, and the term
degradation is most frequently used. Polymers may dissolve when exposed to a liquid solvent, or they
may absorb the solvent and swell; also, electromagnetic radiation (primarily ultraviolet) and heat may
cause alterations in their molecular structures. (search more about it)

Corrosion is defined as the destructive and unintentional attack of a metal; it is electrochemical and
ordinarily begins at the surface. (search more about it)

The problem of metallic corrosion is one of significant proportions; in economic terms, it has been
estimated that approximately 5% of an industrialized nation’s income is spent on corrosion prevention
and the maintenance or replacement of products lost or contaminated as a result of corrosion reactions.
The consequences of corrosion are all too common.
 Familiar examples include the rusting of automotive body panels and radiator and exhaust components.
(search more about it)

Corrosion processes are occasionally used to advantage. For example, etching procedures, as discussed
in Section 4.10, make use of the selective chemical reactivity of grain boundaries or various
microstructural constituents. (search more about it)

(1-1) https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/4/deterioration-corrosion