Discuss methods of reducing corrosion.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Corrosion, a destructive and chemical reaction of a metal with its environment, can be reduced through several methods including: using barriers, cathodic protection, materials selection, and applying corrosion-resistant coatings and platings.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Corrosion

Corrosion refers to the destructive and chemical reaction of a metal with its environment, which leads to the deterioration of the properties of the metal. It's usually caused by the reaction of the metal with oxygen — in the presence of moisture.
02

Why is Corrosion a Problem?

Corrosion is a problem as it weakens the metal over time, which can lead to catastrophic failures in structures and machinery. It also causes a significant economic loss due to the cost of replacement and repair of corroded items.
03

Methods of reducing Corrosion - Barriers

The first method that can be used to reduce metal corrosion is the use of barriers. The barrier method involves protecting the metal surface from the corrosive environment by creating a physical barrier with non-corrosive materials such as paint, oil, and grease. This prevents the metal from coming into contact with corrosive agents.
04

Methods of reducing Corrosion - Cathodic Protection

The second method is cathodic protection. This involves making the metal to be protected the cathode in an electrochemical cell. It could be either by attaching a sacrificial anode to the metal (galvanic protection) or by applying a direct electrical current (impressed current protection).
05

Methods of reducing Corrosion - Materials Selection

The third method is materials selection. This involves choosing materials that are inherently resistant to the corrosive environment, this could be either by using a corrosion-resistant material or by using alloys with improved resistance.
06

Methods of reducing Corrosion - Coatings and Platings

Another method is by applying corrosion-resistant coatings and platings to the surface of the metal. This can be either metallic coatings, such as zinc or chrome, or non-metallic coatings, such as paint or plastic.

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