Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Rust is an iron oxide, a usually reddish-brown oxide formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the catalytic presence of water or air moisture.Rust consists of hydrous iron(III) oxides (Fe 2 O 3 ·nH 2 O) and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (FeO(OH), Fe(OH) 3), and is typically associated with the corrosion of refined iron.
Water-reactive substances [1] are those that spontaneously undergo a chemical reaction with water, often noted as generating flammable gas. [2] Some are highly reducing in nature. [ 3 ] Notable examples include alkali metals , lithium through caesium , and alkaline earth metals , magnesium through barium .
The driving power for pitting corrosion is the depassivation of a small area, which becomes anodic (oxidation reaction) while an unknown but potentially vast area becomes cathodic (reduction reaction), leading to very localized galvanic corrosion. The corrosion penetrates the mass of the metal, with a limited diffusion of ions.
For example, when sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4) flows through steel pipes, the iron in the steel reacts with the acid to form a passivation coating of iron sulfate (FeSO 4) and hydrogen gas (H 2). The iron sulfate coating will protect the steel from further reaction; however, if hydrogen bubbles contact this coating, it will be removed.
Choose metals that have similar electropotentials. The more closely matched the individual potentials, the smaller the potential difference and hence the smaller the galvanic current. Using the same metal for all construction is the easiest way of matching potentials. Electroplating or other plating can also help.
When two metals touch each other and water is present, electrolysis occurs. [2] One well known example is the reaction between zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). Zinc atoms will lose electrons in preference to the iron as they are more electropositive and therefore zinc is oxidized and corrodes. Zn(s)→ Zn 2+ (aq) +2e (oxidation)
The 2014 Flint water crisis was caused by a combination of source water change and a lack of corrosion control. The new, higher-CSMR water not only dissolved lead and iron from the pipes themselves, but also broke up previous layers of lead-containing rusty scale in pipes, allowing them to enter the water supply. [8]
Small additions of cerium and yttrium increase the adhesion of the oxide layer on the surface. [70] The addition of chromium remains the most common method to increase high-temperature corrosion resistance in stainless steels; chromium reacts with oxygen to form a chromium oxide scale, which reduces oxygen diffusion into the material.