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2- Galvanic Corrosion |
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Galvanic corrosion can be defined simply
as being the effect resulting from contact between two different
metals or alloys in a conducting corrosive environment. Another
term employed is galvanic coupling.
When a metal is immersed in any electrolytic solution, it is possible
to measure its dissolution (natural corrosion). For each solution,
it is possible to establish a "galvanic series", that
is, a ranking of different metals and alloys as a function of this
measured potential. When two different metals or alloys immersed
in the same solution are joined together electrically, an electric
current will be set up between them, resulting from the short circuit
created. The coupling potential must of necessity lie between the
two potentials for the uncoupled metals and an increase in corrosion
is generally observed in the less noble alloy and a decrease or
suppression of corrosion in the more noble material.
Due to modifications in the electrolyte, inversions may occur in
the potential series. Thus, zinc covered with corrosion products
can become more "noble" than iron in certain hot waters
(problem encountered in domestic hot water tanks); tin can become
less "noble" than iron in organic acid solutions (problem
encountered in food cans).
For a given current between two different metals, the current density,
and hence the rate of dissolution of the less noble metal (anode,)
will be greater the smaller the surface area SA of the
anode. The use of unfavourable surface area ratios has led to many
expensive
and often spectacular failures.
Some Means of preventing galvanic corrosion : choose metal combinations
in which the constituents are as close as possible in the corresponding
galvanic series, avoid an unfavourable surface area ratio. Wherever
possible, use a seal, insulator, coating, etc. to avoid direct
contact between two different metals, avoid threaded junctions
between materials widely separated in the galvanic series, …
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