Corrosion is defined as the degradation of a material because
of a reaction with its environment. Degradation is the weakening of the
material because of a loss of cross-sectional area – this can be the shattering
of a metal because of hydrogen embrittlement or perhaps the cracking of a
polymer because of sunlight exposure.
Materials can be polymers like plastic and rubber, metals,
ceramics like brick and concrete or composite-mechanical mixtures of 2 or more
materials with different properties. When it comes to metal corrosion, it is
often electrochemical in nature.
Facts About The Corrosion Of Metals
Metals corrode simply because they are used in environments
where they’re chemically unstable. Only copper, silver, gold, platinum and
other precious metals are found in nature in their metallic state. Other metals
are processed from minerals or ores.
When metals are unstable, they have a tendency to revert to
their more stable mineral forms. Some metals are forming protective ceramic
films on their surfaces – and these can either slow down or prevent their
corrosion process.
Today, corrosion can be prevented by using metals that form
naturally passive films; however, these alloys are often expensive. Remember
though that there are other cost-efficient means of controlling corrosion.
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