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In brief, corrosion is a chemical reaction occurring by an electrochemical mechanism (a redox reaction). [1] During corrosion of iron or steel there are two reactions, oxidation (equation 1), where electrons leave the metal (and the metal dissolves, i.e. actual loss of metal results) and reduction, where the electrons are used to convert oxygen and water to hydroxide ions (equation 2): [2]
In this case, sacrificial anodes work as part of a galvanic couple, promoting corrosion of the anode, while protecting the cathode metal. In other cases, such as mixed metals in piping (for example, copper, cast iron and other cast metals), galvanic corrosion will contribute to accelerated corrosion of parts of the system.
The difference can be measured as a difference in voltage potential: the less noble metal is the one with a lower (that is, more negative) electrode potential than the nobler one, and will function as the anode (electron or anion attractor) within the electrolyte device functioning as described above (a galvanic cell). Galvanic reaction is the ...
Over time the galvanic anode continues to corrode, consuming the anode material until eventually it must be replaced. Galvanic or sacrificial anodes are made in various shapes and sizes using alloys of zinc, magnesium, and aluminum. ASTM International publishes standards on the composition and manufacturing of galvanic anodes. [10] [11] [12]
The overall chemical reaction taking place in a cell is made up of two independent half-reactions, which describe chemical changes at the two electrodes. To focus on the reaction at the working electrode , the reference electrode is standardized with constant (buffered or saturated) concentrations of each participant of the redox reaction.
Galvanic cells are extensions of spontaneous redox reactions, but have been merely designed to harness the energy produced from said reaction. [1] For example, when one immerses a strip of zinc metal (Zn) in an aqueous solution of copper sulfate (CuSO 4 ), dark-colored solid deposits will collect on the surface of the zinc metal and the blue ...
The copper–copper(II) sulfate electrode is a reference electrode of the first kind, [1] based on the redox reaction with participation of the metal and its salt, copper(II) sulfate. It is used for measuring electrode potential and is the most commonly used reference electrode for testing cathodic protection corrosion control systems. [ 2 ]
Corrosion requires an anode and cathode to take place. The anode is an element that loses electrons (reducing agent), thus oxidation always occurs in the anode, and the cathode is an element that gains electrons (oxidizing agent), thus reduction always occurs in the cathode. Corrosion occurs whenever there's a difference in oxidation potential.