Corrosion Mechanisms in Theory and Practice.

Abstract

Corrosion is the chemical degradation of materials, such as metals, semiconductors, insulators, and even polymers, due to the exposure to environment. The environment may be a gas phase with or without moisture and an aqueous or nonaqueous electrolyte. The corrosion processes occur at the surface and may involve the bulk of the materials and the contacting gas or liquid phase. Traditionally, the community of engineers and scientists distinguishes between corrosion in electrolytes and corrosion in the gas phase at elevated temperatures, i.e., the wet and the hot and dry corrosions. Although the environment and the observed effects are different, both fields often use in basic research similar analytical methods to learn about the leading mechanisms. This book concentrates mainly on electrochemical corrosion phenomena and on atmospheric corrosion in a wet environment.