Corrosion and Degradation in Advanced Materials Engineering

These flashcards cover key concepts related to corrosion and degradation in materials, focusing on processes and prevention strategies.

Corrosion

The destructive electrochemical attack of a material.

Oxidation

A process where a metal loses one or more electrons.

Reduction

A process where an atom or molecule gains one or more electrons.

Redox reactions

Reactions that involve both oxidation and reduction processes.

Electrochemical reaction

A reaction that involves the transfer of electrons between species.

Half reactions

Reactions that show the oxidation and reduction processes separately.

Galvanic corrosion

Corrosion that occurs when dissimilar metals are electrically connected in a corrosive environment.

Selective leaching

The preferential removal of one component from a material due to corrosion.

Pitting corrosion

Localized corrosion that leads to the formation of small holes or pits.

Stress corrosion cracking

Cracking that occurs due to the combination of tensile stress and a corrosive environment.

Hydrogen embrittlement

Brittle fracture of metals caused by the absorption of hydrogen.

Cathodic protection

A method used to protect a metal by making it the cathode of an electrochemical cell.

Pilling-Bedworth ratio

The ratio of the volume of oxide to the volume of the metal from which it was formed, affecting the protective qualities of the oxide.

Activation polarization

Current limited by the slowest step in the reaction series, typically controlled by activation energy.

Concentration polarization

Current limited by the rate of diffusion of reactants to the reaction site.