BS-CHE IV

TYPES OF CORROSION :

1. Uniform Attack
In the uniform attack the corrosive agent working on
the surface of the metal reacts with the surface ions
uniformly over the surface of the exposed metal
making the metal thin and fragile.
After some time the metal completely loses its
strength.
The uniform attack is the most common type of
corrosion an example of which is the rusting of iron when exposed to moisture.

2. Galvanic Corrosion or Two-Metal Corrosion

In galvanic corrosion a less resistant metal and a
high resistant metal are placed together in a
corrosive medium.
Due to the potential difference between the two
metals there is an electric flow between metals, this
makes less resistant more vulnerable and the high
resistant more strong.
(Galvanic Corrosion caused due to difference in anodic index of plates and bolts)

3. Crevice Corrosion
Crevice corrosion is an intense localized corrosion which
occurs within crevices and other shielded areas on metal
surfaces when it is exposed to corrosive agents.
This results in holes and puts on the surface of the metal.

(Silver Bridge collapse caused due to Crevice Corrosion in 1967)

4. Pitting
Pitting is perhaps the most
dangerous and vicious of all the
other types of corrosion. In pitting
small or large and deep or
shallow pits and holes are formed
on the surface, completely
destroying the metal.
If pitting occurs in a metal machine the machine completely stops working. It is caused
due to some chemical corrosive reagents.
Another reason why this form of corrosion is considered the most dangerous is that this
type is difficult to predict and although it may take place gradually and silently the
function of the metal stops suddenly without a warning

5. Intergranular Corrosion
The grain boundaries of some metals are very reactive.
Because of these active grain boundaries, when there
is a corrosive attack on the metal the grains of the
boundaries start to react with the agent, this causes
Intergranular corrosion.
The Intergranular corrosion mostly occurs in alloys and
may be at times due to some impurities present on the
grain boundaries.
(Microscopic view of a metal affected by Intergranular Corrosion)

6. Selective Leaching
Selective leaching takes place in metal alloys. In selective
leaching one of the metals on the alloy undergoes corrosion.
Selective leaching may be done intentionally to remove one
metal from the alloy.
The most common example of selective leaching is the
removal of zinc from brass also known as dezincification.
7. Erosion
Erosion is yet another common type of
corrosion which occurs naturally. In corrosion
the surface of the metal slowly and gradually
deteriorates by the action of the environment.
Eventually due to the constant attack of the
corrosive agent on the metals, the surface of
the metals wears away forming holes and
gullies on the surface.
The pits formed are mostly directional and
have a pattern.
(Metal erosion caused by winds near seashore)

8. Stress Corrosion Cracking

The stress corrosion cracking is a unique
type of corrosion in which cracks are formed
on the surface of the metal due to a specific
agent causing stress on the surface and
eventually breaking the metal down.
The two common examples of stress
corrosion cracking are: season cracking of
brass, and the caustic embrittlement of
steel.
During the process of corrosion, the rest of
the surface remains intact while small and
(Stress Corrosion Cracking of a fuel pipe) fines cracks proceed at one point.
These cracks then extend further breaking through the surface of the metal.
This type of corrosion is not very common and occurs only when the metal is exposed
to a specific medium.