Basic Corrosion Fundamentals, Aspects and Currently Applied Strategies for Corrosion Mitigation

Abstract

Metallic materials represent the most widely used type of materials mainly in mechanical engineering, construction and industrial disciplines. Despite, the importance of alloys and metals, their utilization is constrained due to the devastating problem of corrosion. The destructive damage in the properties of metals is referred to as corrosion. Such damage may take place by either chemical (dry corrosion) or electrochemical (wet corrosion) reactions with the environment surrounding the metal. Corrosion causes catastrophic impairment to metals and alloys. Corrosion damage appears in many forms including; uniform corrosion attack, crevice corrosion, galvanic corrosion, pitting, erosion corrosion, inter-granular corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and selective leaching (dealloying). This results in severe economic consequences represented in repairing and replacing the corroded substrates, loss of products, release of toxic products to the environment in addition to severe health effects. This chapter emphasizes corrosion concept, historical incidence of corrosion, different types of corrosion, materials susceptible to corrosion and the impact of corrosion prevalence. Furthermore, a spot upon the usual tests that are carried out to detect corrosion is also introduced. Besides, this chapter focuses on the current and new preventative strategies that are employed to inhibit corrosion such as paints, cathodic protection, coatings as well as corrosion inhibitors.