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Metal Corrosion and Protection Basics

Iron and steel readily corrode when exposed to oxygen and water, forming iron oxide or rust. Zinc and aluminum form protective oxide layers that slow further corrosion. Copper forms basic carbonates when it corrodes, making it suitable for roofing and piping. The alkali metals corrode quickly when exposed to air unless stored in oil.

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200 views2 pages

Metal Corrosion and Protection Basics

Iron and steel readily corrode when exposed to oxygen and water, forming iron oxide or rust. Zinc and aluminum form protective oxide layers that slow further corrosion. Copper forms basic carbonates when it corrodes, making it suitable for roofing and piping. The alkali metals corrode quickly when exposed to air unless stored in oil.

Uploaded by

Payal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1.

Iron (or steel) unfortunately corrodes than most


other transition metals and readily does so in the presence of
both (in air) and to form an iron
. Iron corrosion is called and the
chemical change with oxygen is called an reaction.

2. Iron and steel (an of iron) are most easily


protected by which provides a barrier between the
metal and air/water. Moving parts on machines can be protected
by a water repellent or grease layer.

3. This corrosion can be prevented by connecting iron to a more


metal (e.g. zinc or magnesium). This is called
protection. By mixing iron with other metals such as
you can make a non-rusting alloy called
steel. Coating iron or steel with a layer is called
'galvanising'. The zinc preferentially corrodes first to form a
zinc oxide layer that doesn't off. However if a
reactive metal is attached, the iron then rusts
as it becomes the more metal!
4. Aluminium does not (corrode) as fast as its
position in the metal series would suggest. A thin
protective layer of forms on the surface,
and acts as a barrier to oxygen and water and prevents further
. Aluminium is a useful metal. It can be
made harder, stronger and stiffer by mixing it with small
amounts of other metals (e.g ) to make alloys.

5. Copper and lead are both used in roofing situations because


both are (easily shaped) and neither is very reactive.
The compounds formed do not away as easily as rust
does from iron. Lead corrodes to a white oxide or
carbonate and copper corrodes to form a basic
carbonate. Both metals have been used for piping, but these days,
lead (used by the Romans) is considered too but the
stronger and harder copper is still used for . Copper
is mixed with zinc to make the alloy , which is hard
wearing and doesn't readily corrode - used for door knobs and
other domestic fittings. 

6. The Group 1 Alkali Metals are bright and when


freshly cut BUT tarnish and corrode in air. So they
need to be under to reduce corrosion.
Apart from their structural they would hardly used
for any outside purpose!

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