Question

Give preventive methods by giving examples of corrosion?

Answer 1

Corrosion can be prevented by the following methods:

1. Galvanizing: Galvanizing is a process of giving a thin coating of zinc on iron or steel materials to protect them from corrosion. Zinc, being more electropositive than iron, undergoes corrosion first. Thus, it prevents corrosion of iron. However, if zinc layer goes away and the inner iron gets exposed, then the inner iron layer will start to rust.
2. Tinning: Tinning is the process of giving a coating of tin over other metals. Cooking vessels, made of copper and brass get a greenish coating due to corrosion. This greenish coating is poisonous. If food is kept in such a vessel, it gets spoiled. Therefore, copper and brass vessels are coated with tin (kalhai) to prevent corrosion.
3. Anodizing: The process of coating metals such as aluminium and copper with a thin and strong layer of their oxides by electrolysis is called anodizing process. For this, the copper or aluminium article is used as the anode. As this oxide layer is strong and uniform all over the surface, it is useful for the prevention of the corrosion of the metal.
4. Electroplating: Electroplating is the process in which a less reactive metal is coated on a more reactive metal by electrolysis. It protects the object made of reactive metal from corrosion. For example, silver-plated spoons, gold plated ornaments, etc.
5. Alloying: The homogenous mixture formed by mixing metal with other metals or nonmetals in a certain proportion is called an alloy Alloying helps to decrease the intensity of corrosion of metals. For example, stainless steel does not get stains with air or water and also does not rust. It is an alloy made from 74% iron, 18% chromium and 8% carbon.