CHEM 111L– Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory

MODULE 4
METAL AND SOME
ASPECTS OF
CORROSION
FIRST SEMESTER S.Y. 2021
-2022

Course Code : Chem 111L

Course Title : Chemistry for Engineers
(Laboratory
)
Pre-requisite : None
Co-Requisite : Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory)
Credit Units : 3 units
Time Allotment : 3 hours/week,54 hours/semester
For this module : 1 week only
Course Description This
: course provides stud
ents with core concepts of
chemistry that are important in the practice of engineering
profession

YORADYL C. DIZOR
Instructor

Prepared by: YORADYL C. DIZOR 1ST SEM. S.Y. 2021-2022

 CHEM 111L – Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory)

4
Modul
METAL AND SOME
e
ASPECTS OF CORROSION

Pre-Lab Discussion

Corrosion reactions are spontaneous redox reactions in which a metal is

attacked by some substance in its environment and converted to an unwanted
compound. Batteries are examples of how spontaneous redox reactions can be
used productively.

For nearly all metals, oxidation is a thermodynamically favorable process in air

at room temperature. When the oxidation process is not inhibited in some way,
it can be very destructive to whatever object is made from a metal. Oxidation
can form an insulating protective oxide layer; however, that prevents further
reaction of the underlying metal. Based on the standard reduction potential of
Al3+, for example, we would expect aluminum metal to be very readily oxidized.
The many aluminum soft-drink and beer cans that litter the environment are
ample evidence; however that aluminum undergoes only very slow chemical
corrosion. The exceptional stability of this active metal in air is due to formation
of a thin protective coat of oxide – a hydrated form of Al 2O3 – on the surface of
the metal. The oxide coat is impermeable to O 2 or H2O and so protects the
underlying metal from further corrosion. Magnesium metal is similarly protected.
Some metal alloys, such as stainless steel, likewise form protective impervious
oxide coats.

Corrosion of Iron

The rusting of iron is a familiar corrosion process that carries a significant

economic impact. Up to 20% of the iron produced annually in the United States
is used to replace iron objects that have been discarded because of rust
damage.

The rusting of iron requires both oxygen and water. Other factors – such as the
pH of the solution, the presence of salts, contact with metals more difficult to
oxidize than iron, and stress on the iron – can accelerate rusting.

The corrosion of iron is electrochemical in nature. The corrosion process

involves oxidation and reduction, and the metal itself conducts electricity. Thus,
electrons can move through the metal from a region where oxidation occurs, as
in voltaic cells.

Prepared by: YORADYL C. DIZOR 1ST SEM. S.Y. 2021-2022

 CHEM 111L – Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory)

Because the standard reduction potential for the reduction of Fe 2+(aq) is less
positive that than for the reduction of O2, Fe(s) can be oxidized by O2(g).

Cathode: O2 + 4 H+(aq) + 4 e- 2 H2O(l)

Anode: Fe(s) Fe2+(aq) + 2 e-

A portion of the iron can serve as an anode at which the oxidation of Fe to Fe 2+

occurs. The electrons produced migrate through the metal to another portion of
the surface that serves as the cathode, at which O 2 is reduced. The reduction of
O2 requires H+, so lowering the concentration of H + (increasing the pH) makes
the reduction of O2 less favorable. Iron in contact with a solution whose pH is
greater than 9 does not corrode.

The Fe2+ formed at the anode is eventually oxidized further to Fe 3+, which forms
the hydrated iron (III) oxide known as rust.

Because the cathode is generally the area having the largest supply of O 2, rust
often deposits there. If you look closely at a shovel after it has stood outside in
the moist air with wet dirt adhered to its blade, you may notice that pitting has
occurred under the dirt but that rust has formed elsewhere, where O 2 is more
readily available. The corrosion process is summarized in Figure below.

The enhanced corrosion caused by the presence of salts is usually evident on

autos in areas where roads are heavily salted during winter. Like a salt bridge in
a voltaic cell, the ions of the salt provide the electrolyte necessary to complete
the electrical circuit.

Preventing the Corrosion of Iron

Prepared by: YORADYL C. DIZOR 1ST SEM. S.Y. 2021-2022

 CHEM 111L – Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory)

Iron is often covered with a coat of paint or another metal such as tin or zinc to
protect its surface against corrosion. Covering the surface with paint or tin is
simply a means of preventing oxygen and water from reaching the iron surface.
If the coating is broken and the iron is exposed to oxygen and water, corrosion
will begin.

Galvanized ion, which is iron coated with a thin layer of zinc, uses the principle
of electrochemistry to protect the iron from corrosion even after the surface
coat is broken. The standard reduction potentials for iron and zinc
are Fe aq)
2+(
+ 2e- Fe(s) E°red = -0.44V

Zn2+(aq) + 2e- Zn (s) E°red = -0.76V

Because the E°red value for the reduction of Fe 2+ is less negative (more
positive) than that for the reduction of Zn 2+, Fe2+ is easier to reduce than Zn2+.
Conversely, Zn(s) is easier to oxidize than Fe(s). Thus, even if the zinc coating is
broken and the galvanized iron is exposed to oxygen and water, the zinc, which
is most easily oxidized, serves as the anode and is corroded instead of the iron.
The iron serves as the cathode at which O2 is reduced, as shown

Protecting a metal from corrosion by making it the cathode in an

electrochemical cell is known as cathodic protection. The metal that is
oxidized while protecting the cathode is called the sacrificial anode.
Underground pipelines are often protected against corrosion by making the
pipeline the cathode of a voltaic cell. Pieces of an active metal such as
magnesium are buried along the pipeline and connected to it by wire. In moist
soil, where corrosion can occur, the active metal serves as the anode, and the
pipe experiences cathodic protection.

REFERENCES:

BROWN, T.L., LEMAY, H.E.J, BURSTEN B.E., MURPHY, C.J., and WOODWARD, P.M.
(2012). Chemistry: The Central Science. 12th Ed. USA: Prentice Hall

Prepared by: YORADYL C. DIZOR 1ST SEM. S.Y. 2021-2022

 CHEM 111L – Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory)

Experiment
METAL AND SOME ASPECTS OF CORROSION

Materials Needed:
4 pcs. 350 ml bottle
4 pcs iron nails 3 inches long
Water
Salt
Oil

Procedure:
1. Label the four 350 ml bottle as Parameter 1, Parameter 2 (with water),
Parameter 3(with water and salt), and Parameter 4(with water and oil). Before
starting the experiment take a photo on the 4 pcs new 3” iron nail. You may
also weigh each nail.
2. Place the new 3” iron nail in each bottle.
3. Place 250 ml of water in bottle 2, 3 and 4.
4. Add 7g of salt to bottle 3.
5. Add oil to bottle 4.
6. Take regular notes and picture on each nail's condition every day. Record
which nail showed rust first.
7. At the end of your experiment, remove the nails from their containers. Weigh
them to determine whether there is any difference between them.

Observation with Picture

Paramete
r Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
Paramete
r1

Paramete
r
2 (with
water)
Paramete
r
3 (with
water
and salt)
Paramete
r
4 (with
water
and
oil)

Prepared by: YORADYL C. DIZOR 1ST SEM. S.Y. 2021-2022

 CHEM 111L – Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory)

CHAPTER 4 TEST

NAME: DATE:
COURSE/SECTION: INSTRUCTOR:

Give what is asked in the each number.

1. Based on the results of this experiment, what are the factors that contribute
to the corrosion of iron? Explain.
2. What methods are used to reduce the corrosion of metals? Explain each.

Prepared by: YORADYL C. DIZOR 1ST SEM. S.Y. 2021-2022

CHEM 111L – Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory )

***End ofChapter Test***

God bless!

Prepared by: YORADYL C. DIZOR 1ST SEM. S.Y. 2021-2022