18.6 Corrosion

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:
  • Define corrosion
  • List some of the methods used to prevent or slow corrosion

Corrosion is usually defined as the degradation of metals due to an electrochemical process. The formation of rust on iron, tarnish on silver, and the blue-green patina that develops on copper are all examples of corrosion. The total cost of corrosion in the United States is significant, with estimates in excess of half a trillion dollars a year.

Statue of Liberty: Changing Colours

The Statue of Liberty is a landmark every American recognizes. The Statue of Liberty is easily identified by its height, stance, and unique blue-green colour (Figure 18.6a). When this statue was first delivered from France, its appearance was not green. It was brown, the colour of its copper “skin.” So how did the Statue of Liberty change colours? The change in appearance was a direct result of corrosion. The copper that is the primary component of the statue slowly underwent oxidation from the air. The oxidation-reduction reactions of copper metal in the environment occurs in several steps. Copper metal is oxidized to copper(I) oxide (Cu2O), which is red, and then to copper(II) oxide, which is black

[latex]\begin{array}{r @{{}\longrightarrow{}} ll} 2\text{ Cu}(s)\;+\;\frac{1}{2}\text{ O}_2(g) & \longrightarrow \text{Cu}_2\text{O}(s) & (\text{red}) \\[0.5em] \text{Cu}_2\text{O}(s)\;+\;\frac{1}{2}\text{ O}_2(g) & \longrightarrow 2\text{ CuO}(s) & (\text{black}) \end{array}[/latex]

Coal, which was often high in sulfur, was burned extensively in the early part of the last century. As a result, sulfur trioxide, carbon dioxide, and water all reacted with the CuO

[latex]\begin{array}{rl @{{}\longrightarrow{}} ll} 2\text{ CuO}(s)\;+\;\text{CO}_2(g)\;+\;\text{H}_2\text{O}(l) & \longrightarrow \text{Cu}_2\text{CO}_3(\text{OH})_2(s) & (\text{green}) \\[0.5em] 3\text{ CuO}(s)\;+\;2\text{ CO}_2(g)\;+\;\text{H}_2\text{O}(l) & \longrightarrow \text{Cu}_2(\text{CO}_3)_2(\text{OH})_2(s) & (\text{blue}) \\[0.5em] 4\text{ CuO}(s)\;+\;\text{SO}_3(g)\;+\;3\text{ H}_2\text{O}(l) & \longrightarrow \text{Cu}_4\text{SO}_4(\text{OH})_6(s) & (\text{green}) \end{array}[/latex]

These three compounds are responsible for the characteristic blue-green patina seen today. Fortunately, formation of the patina created a protective layer on the surface, preventing further corrosion of the copper skin. The formation of the protective layer is a form of passivation, which is discussed further in a later chapter.

Two photos of the Statue of Liberty are shown. The left photo depicts the original brown color of the copper. The right photo depicts the blue-green appearance of the statue today.
Figure 18.6a: (a) The Statue of Liberty is covered with copper skin, and was originally brown, as shown in this painting. (b) Exposure to the elements has resulted in the formation of the blue-green patina seen today. (credit a: work published by Detroit Photographic Company, PD; credit b: work by Dominique James, CC BY 2.0)

Perhaps the most familiar example of corrosion is the formation of rust on iron. Iron will rust when it is exposed to oxygen and water. The main steps in the rusting of iron appear to involve the following (Figure 18.6b). Once exposed to the atmosphere, iron rapidly oxidizes.

[latex]\text{anode:}\;\text{Fe}(s)\;{\longrightarrow}\;\text{Fe}^{2+}(aq)\;+\;2\text{e}^{-}\;\;\;\;\;\;\;E_{\text{Fe}^{2+}/\text{Fe}}^{\circ} = -0.44\;\text{V}[/latex]

The electrons reduce oxygen in the air in acidic solutions.

[latex]\text{cathode:}\;\text{O}_2(g)\;+\;4\text{ H}^{+}(aq)\;+\;4\text{ e}^{-}\;{\longrightarrow}\;2\text{ H}_2\text{O}(l)\;\;\;\;\;\;\;E_{\text{O}_2/\text{O}^2}^{\circ} = +1.23\;\text{V}[/latex]
[latex]\text{overall:}\;2\text{ Fe}(s)\;+\;\text{O}_2(g)\;+\;4\text{ H}^{+}(aq)\;{\longrightarrow}\;2\text{ Fe}^{2+}(aq)\;+\;2\text{ H}_2\text{O}(l)\;\;\;\;\;\;\;E_{\text{cell}}^{\circ} = +1.67\;\text{V}[/latex]

What we call rust is hydrated iron(III) oxide, which forms when iron(II) ions react further with oxygen.

[latex]4\text{ Fe}^{2+}(aq)\;+\;\text{O}_2(g)\;+\;(4\;+\;2x)\;\text{H}_2\text{O}(l)\;{\longrightarrow}\;2\text{ Fe}_2\text{O}_3{\cdot}x\text{H}_2\text{O}(s)\;+\;8\text{ H}^{+}(aq)[/latex]

The number of water molecules is variable, so it is represented by x. Unlike the patina on copper, the formation of rust does not create a protective layer and so corrosion of the iron continues as the rust flakes off and exposes fresh iron to the atmosphere.

A grey rectangle, labeled “iron,” is shown with thin purple layers, labeled “Paint layer,” at its upper and lower surfaces. A gap in the upper purple layer at the upper left of the diagram is labeled “Cathodic site.” A blue droplet labeled “water” is positioned on top of the gap. A curved arrow extends from a space above the droplet to the surface of the grey region and into the water droplet. The base of the arrow is labeled “O subscript 2” and the tip of the arrow is labeled “H subscript 2 O.” A gap to the right and on the bottom side of the grey region shows that some of the grey region is gone from the region beneath the purple layer. A water droplet covers this gap and extends into the open space in the grey rectangle. The label “F e superscript 2 positive” is at the center of the droplet. A curved arrow points from the edge of the grey area below to the label. A second curved arrow extends from the F e superscript 2 positive arrow to a rust brown chunk on the lower surface of the purple layer at the edge of the water droplet. A curved arrow extends from O subscript 2 outside the droplet into the droplet to the rust brown chunk. The grey region at the lower right portion of the diagram is labeled “Anodic site.” An arrow extends from the anodic site toward the cathodic site, which is labeled “e superscript negative.”
Figure 18.6b: Once the paint is scratched on a painted iron surface, corrosion occurs and rust begins to form. The speed of the spontaneous reaction is increased in the presence of electrolytes, such as the sodium chloride used on roads to melt ice and snow or in salt water (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0).

One way to keep iron from corroding is to keep it painted. The layer of paint prevents the water and oxygen necessary for rust formation from coming into contact with the iron. As long as the paint remains intact, the iron is protected from corrosion.

Other strategies include alloying the iron with other metals. For example, stainless steel is mostly iron with a bit of chromium. The chromium tends to collect near the surface, where it forms an oxide layer that protects the iron.

Zinc-plated or galvanized iron uses a different strategy. Zinc is more easily oxidized than iron because zinc has a lower reduction potential. Since zinc has a lower reduction potential, it is a more active metal. Thus, even if the zinc coating is scratched, the zinc will still oxidize before the iron. This suggests that this approach should work with other active metals.

Another important way to protect metal is to make it the cathode in a galvanic cell. This is cathodic protection and can be used for metals other than just iron. For example, the rusting of underground iron storage tanks and pipes can be prevented or greatly reduced by connecting them to a more active metal such as zinc or magnesium (Figure 18.6c). This is also used to protect the metal parts in water heaters. The more active metals (lower reduction potential) are called sacrificial anodes because as they get used up as they corrode (oxidize) at the anode. The metal being protected serves as the cathode, and so does not oxidize (corrode). When the anodes are properly monitored and periodically replaced, the useful lifetime of the iron storage tank can be greatly extended.

A diagram is shown of an underground storage tank system. Underground, to the left end of the diagram is a horizontal grey tank which is labeled “Object to be protected.” A lead wire extends upwards above the ground and extends to the right and back underground to a second grey structure. The second structure is labeled “Sacrificial anode” which is vertically oriented. Arrows point left underground toward the first tank from the sacrificial anode. These arrows are collectively labeled “Protective current.
Figure 18.6c: One way to protect an underground iron storage tank is through cathodic protection. Using an active metal like zinc or magnesium for the anode effectively makes the storage tank the cathode, preventing it from corroding (oxidizing) (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0).

Attribution & References

Except where otherwise noted, this page is adapted by David Wegman from “17.6 Corrosion” In General Chemistry 1 & 2 by Rice University, a derivative of Chemistry (Open Stax) by Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley & William R. Robinson and is licensed under CC BY 4.0. ​Access for free at Chemistry (OpenStax)​.

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Enhanced Introductory College Chemistry Copyright © 2023 by Gregory Anderson; Caryn Fahey; Jackie MacDonald; Adrienne Richards; Samantha Sullivan Sauer; J.R. van Haarlem; and David Wegman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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