A Demonstration of Corrosion

A Demonstration of Corrosion. Shauna Murphy. A close up of some straw Description automatically generated with low confidence.

Corrosion. Corrosion is a result of chemical, electrochemical, or biological reactions, primarily oxidation. It happens whenever a gas or liquid chemically attacks a surface that is exposed, frequently a metal, and is sped up by warm temperatures, acids, and salts. Corrosion products, like as rust and patina, typically remain on the surface and protect it. When these deposits are removed, the surface is once again exposed, and corrosion resumes. Painting, oiling, greasing, or varnishing the surface of iron will protect it from rusting. Another way of keeping iron from rusting is galvanisation, which involves coating it with a thin layer of zinc. Other strategies include iron alloying with other metals or applying a dry coating or powder coating. Methods of Preventing Corrosion.

Materials Used. Chemicals Glassware Apparatus Water Measuring Jug Galvanised Nails Oil Ungalvanised Nails Salt Heated Nails Vinegar Pre-Rusted Nails 40 Plastic Cups Kitchen Scales.

Method. 1, 11, 21, and 31 had 200mL of tap water added and were exposed to room air. 2, 12, 22, and 32 were left exposed to room air. 3, 13, 23, and 33 had 200mL of cooled boiled water added and a layer of oil. 4, 14, 24, and 34 had 200mL of tap water and 5g of salt added and were exposed to room air. 5, 15, 25, and 35 had 200mL of tap water and 10g of salt added and were exposed to room air. 6, 16, 26, and 36 had 200mL of tap water and 15g of salt added and were exposed to room air. 7, 17, 27, and 37 had 200mL of tap water and 25mL of vinegar added and were exposed to room air. 8, 18, 28, and 38 had 200mL of tap water and 50mL of vinegar added and were exposed to room air. 9, 19, 29, and 39 had 200mL of tap water and 75mL of vinegar added and were exposed to room air. 10, 20, 30, and 40 had an anti-moisture sachet added and were left exposed to room air..

Experimental Parameters Used. No. Nail Type Conditions No. Nail Type Conditions 1 Ungalvanised Tap Water and Air 11 Ungalvanised Heated Tap Water and Air 2 Ungalvanised Air Only 12 Ungalvanised Heated Air Only 3 Ungalvanised Boiled Water and Oil 13 Ungalvanised Heated Boiled Water and Oil 4 Ungalvanised Salt Water (Low Conc) and Air 14 Ungalvanised Heated Salt Water (Low Conc) and Air 5 Ungalvanised Salt Water (Medium Conc) and Air 15 Ungalvanised Heated Salt Water (Medium Conc) and Air 6 Ungalvanised Salt Water (High Conc) and Air 16 Ungalvanised Heated Salt Water (High Conc) and Air 7 Ungalvanised Vinegar (Low Conc) and Air 17 Ungalvanised Heated Vinegar (Low Conc) and Air 8 Ungalvanised Vinegar (Medium Conc) and Air 18 Ungalvanised Heated Vinegar (Medium Conc) and Air 9 Ungalvanised Vinegar (High Conc) and Air 19 Ungalvanised Heated Vinegar (High Conc) and Air 10 Ungalvanised Anti-Moisture Sachet 20 Ungalvanised Heated Anti-Moisture Sachet.

Experimental Parameters Used. Iliii"t-iii. No. Nail Type Conditions No. Nail Type Conditions 21 Galvanised Tap Water and Air 31 Pre-Rusted Tap Water and Air 22 Galvanised Air Only 32 Pre-Rusted Air Only 23 Galvanised Boiled Water and Oil 33 Pre-Rusted Boiled Water and Oil 24 Galvanised Salt Water (Low Conc) and Air 34 Pre-Rusted Salt Water (Low Conc) and Air 25 Galvanised Salt Water (Medium Conc) and Air 35 Pre-Rusted Salt Water (Medium Conc) and Air 26 Galvanised Salt Water (High Conc) and Air 36 Pre-Rusted Salt Water (High Conc) and Air 27 Galvanised Vinegar (Low Conc) and Air 37 Pre-Rusted Vinegar (Low Conc) and Air 28 Galvanised Vinegar (Medium Conc) and Air 38 Pre-Rusted Vinegar (Medium Conc) and Air 29 Galvanised Vinegar (High Conc) and Air 39 Pre-Rusted Vinegar (High Conc) and Air 30 Galvanised Anti-Moisture Sachet 40 Pre-Rusted Anti-Moisture Sachet.

Results Obtained. No. Rate of Corrosion No. Rate of Corrosion No. Rate of Corrosion No. Rate of Corrosion (mm/year) (mm/year) (mm/year) (mm/year) 1 0.47 11 0.57 21 0.00 31 0.76 2 0.00 12 0.00 22 0.00 32 0.00 3 0.00 13 0.00 23 0.00 33 0.00 4 0.94 14 1.13 24 0.00 34 1.51 5 1.89 15 2.36 25 0.00 35 3.07 6 3.78 16 4.72 26 0.00 36 6.14 7 0.00 17 0.00 27 0.00 37 0.00 8 0.00 18 0.00 28 0.00 38 0.00 9 0.00 19 0.00 29 0.00 39 0.00 10 0.00 20 0.00 30 0.00 40 0.00.

Corrosion Rates and Method to Measure. Corrosion rate is the speed at which any metal in a specific environment deteriorates. It also can be defined as the amount of corrosion loss per year in thickness. The speed or rate of deterioration depends on the environmental conditions and the type and condition of the metal under reference. COR = W /( D ∗ A ∗ T ) Where COR is the Corrosion Rate (mm/year) W is the metal weight loss (mg) D is the metal density (g/mm 3 ) A is the area of the sample (mm 2 ) T is the total time (years).

Conclusion. Both oxygen and water are required for corrosion to occur. Salt and heat will both speed up the rate of corrosion. The vinegar and water solution did not cause corrosion and even removed the rust from the pre-rusted nails and the galvanisation for the galvanised nails..