Materials Science & Corrosion Engineering - Corrosion Definition and Impact

Flashcards focusing on the key terms and definitions related to corrosion in materials science.

Corrosion

The degradation of metals due to loss of material through an electrochemical reaction with the environment.

Oxidation

The process by which a metal loses electrons, typically occurring at the anode during corrosion.

Reduction

The process by which a metal gains electrons, occurring at the cathode during corrosion.

Electrolyte

A conducting medium through which ions move, crucial for the electrochemical processes in corrosion.

Electrochemical cell

A setup consisting of an anode, cathode, electrolyte, and a connection for electron flow, necessary for corrosion to occur.

Anode

The electrode where oxidation occurs, leading to the dissolution of metal in corrosion processes.

Cathode

The electrode where reduction occurs, receiving the electrons lost by the anode.

Galvanic corrosion

Corrosion that occurs when two different metals are in electrical contact in the presence of an electrolyte.

Passivation

The formation of a protective oxide layer on metals, which can reduce the rate of corrosion.

Environmental degradation

The deterioration of materials caused by their interactions with environmental factors like moisture, temperature, and chemical exposure.

pH

A measure of acidity or alkalinity that can influence the rate of corrosion.

Deterioration of materials

The decline in performance or appearance of materials due to chemical reactions with their environment.

Reactivity series

A ranking of metals based on their tendency to corrode, with more reactive metals corroding more readily than less reactive ones.

Humidity

The concentration of water vapor in the air; high humidity can promote corrosion.

Electromotive Force (EMF) series

A series that ranks metals by their ability to be oxidized, relevant to predicting corrosion behavior.