Corrosion and Degradation of Materials | Chapter 17 - Materials Science & Engineering (10th Edition)

Описание: Chapter 17 of Materials Science & Engineering (10th Edition) explores the mechanisms by which metals, ceramics, and polymers deteriorate in service environments, and the strategies engineers use to mitigate these failures. For metals, corrosion is largely electrochemical, involving coupled oxidation–reduction reactions at anodic and cathodic sites. The chapter introduces standard electrode potentials, the emf series, and the galvanic series, which rank metals by reactivity, illustrating galvanic couples where less noble metals corrode preferentially. Corrosion rates are quantified using corrosion penetration rate (CPR) and current density, with activation polarization and concentration polarization explained as rate-limiting factors. The concept of passivity, where protective oxide films drastically reduce corrosion rates (as in stainless steels and aluminum), is described in terms of polarization curves.

Eight major forms of metallic corrosion are detailed:

Uniform attack (general rusting)

Galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals in electrolytes

Crevice corrosion from localized oxygen depletion

Pitting corrosion, insidious localized attack often in stainless steels

Intergranular corrosion, especially weld decay in sensitized stainless steels

Selective leaching, such as dezincification of brass

Erosion–corrosion, combining mechanical wear and chemical attack in flowing fluids

Stress corrosion cracking, where tensile stress and environment cause brittle failure.
Hydrogen embrittlement is also highlighted, showing how atomic hydrogen reduces ductility and leads to catastrophic failure in high-strength steels.

For ceramics, corrosion is rare since they are already compounds, but extreme environments can cause dissolution (e.g., refractories attacked by slags or molten metals). For polymers, the focus shifts to degradation rather than corrosion. Mechanisms include swelling and dissolution when solvents penetrate polymer chains, bond rupture (scission) from heat, UV, radiation, or ozone, and weathering, where sunlight and moisture degrade mechanical and optical properties. Tables highlight resistance of plastics and elastomers to acids, bases, solvents, and aging.

The chapter concludes with corrosion prevention strategies, including material selection, design improvements, inhibitors, protective coatings, and cathodic protection (sacrificial anodes or impressed currents). Oxidation in dry environments is also covered, with protective oxide layers explained using the Pilling–Bedworth ratio, and rate laws (parabolic, linear, logarithmic) describing oxide film growth. By integrating electrochemistry, material science, and engineering practice, this chapter provides a toolkit for predicting, analyzing, and mitigating corrosion and degradation across metals, ceramics, and polymers.

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