Corrosion – Mechanism & Prevention

The chapter discusses corrosion, its mechanism, types, and prevention methods and the importance of learning about corrosion in industrial and structural facilities. Corrosion refers to the progressive amounts of decay of metals occurring in the chemical or electrochemical interaction of the metals with their surroundings, resulting in the failure of the material, loss of money and unsafe situations. The chapter has explained the different forms of corrosion, including uniform corrosion, pitting corrosion, galvanic corrosion, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion, with the factors that determine the rate of corrosion, including temperature, humidity, pH and presence of electrolytes. It is also composed of mechanistic facts, such as anodic and cathodic reactions, electrochemical potentials and the significance of passivation layers. Corrosion affects pipelines, machinery, bridges, ships and chemical reactors industrially, and thus it is important to ensure that it is effectively prevented. Corrosion control techniques such as protective coating, cathodic protection, material choice, and corrosion inhibitors are elaborated. The chapter incorporates theory and practical industrial solutions that focus on cost-efficient, sustainable, and greener solutions. The knowledge of the corrosion process and prevention strategies will enable students and professionals to improve the lifespan of materials, maintain safety, and minimize the cost of maintenance processes, which will equip them with materials engineering, chemical industries, and structural design careers.