Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering - Corrosion

These flashcards provide key vocabulary definitions related to the study of corrosion in materials science.

Corrosion

The deterioration of materials due to electrochemical reactions with the environment.

Anodic Reaction

The oxidation process that occurs at the anode where metal ions are released into solution.

Cathodic Reaction

The reduction process that occurs at the cathode, often involving the gain of electrons.

Electrochemical Process

A chemical process that involves the movement of electrons and ions, typically during corrosion.

EMF Series

A ranking of metals based on their standard electrode potentials, which helps predict corrosion tendencies.

Galvanic Corrosion

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

Nernst Equation

An equation that relates the reduction potential of a half-cell to the standard electrode potential and the concentrations of the species involved.

Polarization

A shift in electrode potential due to the flow of electric current and the resistance to charge transfer.

Passivity

A state where a metal becomes resistant to corrosion due to the formation of a protective oxide film.

Concentration Polarization

A reduction in reaction rate that occurs when the rate of mass transport of reactants to the electrode is limiting.

Hydrogen Embrittlement

A failure mechanism in metals caused by the diffusion of hydrogen into the metal structure, leading to cracking.

Pilling-Bedworth Ratio

A ratio that predicts the protective nature of an oxide formed on a metal surface based on its volume.