CORROSION
CHEMISTRY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
-ERICA GUPTA
Manav Rachna International School
XII NEWTON
SESSION: 2024-25
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
This certificate is presented to
ERICA GUPTA
Of Grade XII Newton (Session: 2024-2025), MRIS
Charmwood, for successfully completing her
Chemistry investigatory project on “Corrosion”
under the able guidance of her teacher, Mr. Rakesh.
_____________________________
TEACHER’S SIGN
______________________
SUBJECT TEACHER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my gratitude to my teacher,
and our Principal, Ms. Divjot Kaur, who gave me the
I would like to thank the school and my teacher, Mr. Rakesh,
golden opportunity to work on this project, which
for providing me the opportunity to be able to research and
has also helped me in doing a lot of research and
create this project, and for their support and guidance. I
learning
would also like to thank new things.
my parents who helped me arrange
I would also
materials likeproject
for this to thank
andmy parents
helped and my
me create friends
it along the
who helped me in finalizingway. this project on time.
CONTENTS
Abstract
Theory behind corrosion
Types of corrosion
Factors affecting corrosion
Experimental section
Prevention of corrosion
Applications of corrosion
Conclusion
Bibliography
ABSTRACT
Objective of the project-
This project provides an in-depth exploration
of corrosion, its mechanisms, types, and
prevention methods. The experiment
demonstrates the effects of different
environments on the rate of corrosion and
emphasizes the importance of protective
coatings and other prevention strategies.
WHAT IS CORROSION
Corrosion is the gradual IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING
destruction of materials CORROSION-
(usually metals) by
chemical reactions with Corrosion is a major concern in
environmental elements various industries, including
like water, air, and acids. It construction, manufacturing,
is most commonly seen as and transportation, due to its
the rusting of iron or steel effects on infrastructure,
when exposed to oxygen machinery, and even human
and moisture. The process health. The study of corrosion is
of corrosion leads to the essential to develop better
degradation of the materials and methods for its
material, causing it to prevention, thereby saving
weaken, discolor, or even costs, time, and reducing the
fail. risk of material failure.
THEORY BEHIND CORROSION
Electrochemical Nature of
Corrosion-
Corrosion is fundamentally an
electrochemical process that involves
the flow of electrons. When a metal
reacts with its environment, the metal
atoms lose electrons, forming metal
ions that dissolve into the environment.
These lost electrons are then taken up
by other molecules, typically oxygen,
which causes further degradation.
Anodic Reaction (Oxidation): The metal loses electrons.
Cathodic Reaction (Reduction): The electrons are
consumed by an external substance, like oxygen or water.
Together, these reactions form an electrochemical cell that
accelerates the breakdown of the metal.
TYPES OF CORROSION
Uniform Corrosion: The entire
surface of the metal is
corroded evenly. It is the most
common type of corrosion,
often seen as rust on iron.
Galvanic Corrosion: Occurs
when two different metals are
in contact with each other in
the presence of an electrolyte.
The more reactive metal
corrodes faster.
Pitting Corrosion: Localized
corrosion that results in small
holes or pits on the metal
surface, often occurring in
stainless steel.
Crevice Corrosion: Occurs in
confined spaces where
stagnant solutions accumulate,
creating conditions favorable
for corrosion.
Stress Corrosion Cracking:
Corrosion caused by the
combined effect of tensile
stress and a corrosive
environment.
FACTORS AFFECTING CORROSION
Presence of Moisture and Oxygen:
Water is often the medium for the
electrolytic process, and oxygen
acts as the electron acceptor.
Nature of the Material: The
reactivity of the metal is an
important factor in determining
how quickly it corrodes.
Environmental Factors: Salts
(especially chloride ions), acids,
and temperature can accelerate
corrosion.
Electrochemical Potential: Metals
with different electrode potentials
will corrode at different rates
when in contact with one another.
EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
Aim of the Experiment
To investigate the corrosion of iron in different environments (e.g.,
water, saltwater, and air) and to study the effect of protective
coatings on the rate of corrosion.
Materials and Apparatus:
Iron nails (for corrosion)
Salt (NaCl)
Distilled water
Sandpaper (for cleaning)
Petri dishes or beakers
Stopwatch
pH meter (optional)
Protective coating (e.g., paint, oil, or galvanization)
Weighing balance
PROCEDURE:
1. Preparation of Samples:
Clean iron nails using sandpaper to remove any existing rust
or impurities.
Divide the nails into four groups: one to be placed in distilled
water, one in saltwater, one exposed to air, and one coated
with a protective layer (paint or oil).
2. Setting Up the Experiment:
Place each set of nails in separate containers (Petri dishes or
beakers) containing the respective solutions.
For saltwater, dissolve salt in distilled water to create a 5%
NaCl solution
EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
3. Observation Period:
Allow the nails to remain in their respective environments for
a predetermined period (e.g., 7 days).
Observe the changes on the surface of the nails, noting any
rust formation, discoloration, or pitting.
4. Recording and Measurement:
After the experiment period, remove the nails and observe
the extent of corrosion visually.
Weigh each nail before and after the experiment to calculate
the weight loss due to corrosion.
5. Repeat the Experiment:
Conduct the experiment under different environmental
conditions (varying temperature, adding acids, or using
different protective coatings).
OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS:
In Air: Iron exposed to air showed visible rust formation.
In Water: Corrosion was slower than in saltwater but still
noticeable.
In Saltwater: Rapid rusting occurred due to the chloride ions in
the saltwater, accelerating the corrosion process.
Coated with Protective Layer: The nail coated with paint or oil
showed minimal corrosion, indicating the protective effect of the
coating.
CONCLUSION:
From the experiment, it is clear that iron corrodes more rapidly in
saltwater compared to pure water or air. Protective coatings
significantly reduce the corrosion rate by preventing exposure to
moisture and oxygen.
PREVENTION OF CORROSION
Protective Coatings:
Applying a layer of paint, oil, or
grease creates a barrier that
protects the metal from the
corrosive environment. This is a
widely used method for protecting
iron and steel.
Galvanization:
Involves coating iron or steel with
a layer of zinc. Zinc acts as a
sacrificial anode, corroding before
the underlying metal does.
Cathodic Protection:
Involves attaching a more reactive
metal (like magnesium) to the
corroding metal. The reactive
metal acts as the anode,
protecting the metal from
corrosion.
Corrosion Inhibitors:
Chemical substances that, when
added to the environment, reduce
the rate of corrosion. For example,
phosphates are used in water
treatment plants to reduce
corrosion in pipelines.
APPLICATIONS OF CORROSION
Impact on Infrastructure: Corrosion leads to significant
degradation of infrastructure, including bridges, pipelines, and
buildings, leading to potential safety hazards and high
maintenance costs.
Automobiles and Aircraft: Corrosion affects the longevity and
performance of vehicles and aircraft. Regular maintenance and
corrosion-resistant materials are crucial in ensuring the safety of
transportation systems.
Industrial Equipment: Corrosion can damage machinery and
equipment, reducing efficiency and increasing downtime for
repairs.
APPLICATONS OF CORROSION- PREVENTION-
Ships and Marine Structures: Galvanization and coatings are
applied to prevent the rapid corrosion of metal surfaces exposed
to seawater.
Pipelines and Storage Tanks: Cathodic protection is widely used
to protect pipelines from corrosion, especially in underground
applications.
Automobiles: Cars are coated with paint and underbody
treatments to protect them from corrosion due to exposure to
rain, road salts, and air.
Bridges and Buildings: Protective coatings are essential for
maintaining the longevity and safety of large metal structures.
CONCLUSION
Corrosion is a natural but harmful
process that can cause significant
damage to materials, especially
metals. Understanding the
electrochemical nature of corrosion,
the factors that accelerate it, and
methods for its prevention is crucial
for maintaining the integrity and
longevity of metals used in everyday
applications. From protecting ships to
automobiles, the prevention of
corrosion is vital in saving costs,
ensuring safety, and increasing the
lifespan of various structures and
devices. This project highlights the
importance of corrosion prevention in
both industrial and everyday life.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
[Link]
grade 12 CBSE NCERT Chemistry
-ERICA GUPTA
ROLL NO. 8
XII NEWTON
