What is corrosion? What are the prevention techniques?
<p>Corrosion is the deterioration of metals or other materials as a result of chemical and/or electrochemical changes on their surfaces due to exposure to various environmental factors. Corrosion usually occurs when metallic materials interact with oxygen, water, salts and various other chemicals. Corrosion can reduce the durability of the material, lower its strength and cause serious damage over time.</p> <p>Some Techniques Used to Prevent Corrosion:</p> <p>Coating:</p> <p>Protective coatings can be applied to the surfaces of metals. These coatings usually prevent the metal from coming into direct contact with its environment and create a barrier against corrosion. For example, galvanizing aims to protect the surface of the metal with a zinc coating.<br>Cathodic Protection:</p> <p>In this method, a cathode (usually a more active metal such as zinc or magnesium) is added to the corroded areas of the material. This causes the material to undergo a cathodic reaction and prevents corrosion.</p> <p>Passivation:</p> <p>Passivation involves covering the surface of a metal with a specific protective layer. For example, stainless steel is self-passivating by having a layer containing chromium, which protects the surface of the steel.<br>Sacrificial Anodes:</p> <p>Sacrificial anodes involve adding a more active metal (usually zinc or magnesium) to the surface of a metal in order to protect it. This added metal corrodes in place of the base metal.<br>Surface Treatments:</p> <p>Surface treatments can improve corrosion resistance by altering the surface of the metal. These treatments can include chemical treatments such as passivation, phosphating and chromating.<br>High Resistance Alloys:</p> <p>Material selection affects corrosion resistance. Particularly corrosion resistant alloys are specifically designed for use in aggressive environments.</p> <p>Electrical Insulation:</p> <p>Electrically insulating the metal to prevent electrochemical reactions by preventing direct contact of the metal can help prevent corrosion.<br>Regular Maintenance:</p> <p>Regular maintenance and cleaning can help the material maintain its corrosion protective properties. It is especially important to periodically clean equipment used in salty or acidic environments.<br>These prevention techniques are intended to prevent or retard corrosion by increasing the resistance of materials to various environmental conditions. The most appropriate method to apply may vary depending on the type of material used, environmental conditions and application requirements.</p>
