L6 - Corrosion and Degradation

Flashcards focusing on vocabulary related to corrosion and degradation for better understanding in chemical and material engineering.

Corrosion

A type of degradation occurring when a material reacts chemically or electrochemically with its environment, leading to material deterioration.

Degradation

A general decline in the quality, performance, or structure of a material over time due to various factors.

Electrochemical Reaction

A process involving the transfer of electrons between a material and its environment, essential in the mechanism of corrosion.

Passivation

The formation of a protective film on the surface of a metal that prevents corrosion.

Oxidation

The loss of electrons from a substance during a chemical reaction, commonly occurring in corrosion processes.

Hydrogen Embrittlement

A phenomenon where metals become brittle and crack due to the absorption of hydrogen.

Intergranular Corrosion

Corrosion that occurs along the grain boundaries of a material, often due to chemical or environmental variations.

Pitting Corrosion

Localized corrosion that leads to the creation of small holes or pits in a material.

Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)

The growth of crack formation in a corrosive environment due to combined stress and corrosion.

Corrosion Inhibitors

Substances that reduce the rate of corrosion when added to a corrosive environment.