Corrosion facts for kids
Corrosion is a natural process, which converts a refined metal to a more stable form, such as its oxide, hydroxide, or sulfide. It is the gradual destruction of materials (usually metals) by chemical and/or electrochemical reaction with their environment. Corrosion engineering is the field dedicated to controlling and stopping corrosion.
In the most common use of the word, this means electrochemical oxidation of metal in reaction with an oxidant such as oxygen or sulfur. Rusting, the formation of iron oxides, is a well-known example of electrochemical corrosion. Many structural alloys corrode merely from exposure to moisture in air.
Corrosion removal
Often it is possible to chemically remove the products of corrosion. For example, phosphoric acid in the form of naval jelly is often applied to tools or surfaces to remove rust.
Resistance to corrosion
Some metals are more resistant to corrosion than others (for some examples, see galvanic series). There are various ways of protecting metals from corrosion (oxidation) including painting, hot dip galvanizing, and combinations of these.
Images for kids
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Corrosion on exposed metal, including a bolt and nut
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Galvanic corrosion of an aluminium plate occurred when the plate was connected to a mild steel structural support.
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Gold nuggets do not naturally corrode, even on a geological time scale.
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Diagram showing cross-section of pitting corrosion
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Normal microstructure of Type 304 stainless steel surface
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Sensitized metallic microstructure, showing wider intergranular boundaries
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Corrosion in the crevice between the tube and tube sheet (both made of type 316 stainless steel) of a heat exchanger in a seawater desalination plant
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The US military shrink wraps equipment such as helicopters to protect them from corrosion and thus save millions of dollars
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Galvanized surface
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Corroding steel gantry on an electrified railway line
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This climbing descender is anodized with a yellow finish.
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Sacrificial anode attached to the hull of a ship
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These neodymium magnets corroded extremely rapidly after only 5 months of outside exposure
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The collapsed Silver Bridge, as seen from the Ohio side
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Ozone cracking in natural rubber tubing
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Glass corrosion
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Effect of addition of a certain glass component on the chemical durability against water corrosion of a specific base glass (corrosion test ISO 719).
See also
In Spanish: Corrosión para niños
