Corrosion of metals other than steel?

Question

Can someone give examples of corrosion of metals (for home/industry/civil applications) other than steel and their corrosion products? Thanks!

Answer 1

Any metal can corrode. Corrosion (or oxidation) requires 2 dissimilar metals + an electrolytic solution (i.e. water + salt).

There are tables in chemistry texts that list the galvanic potential of metals - Corrosion is basically the same effect as in a batery - One material losses electrons (and thus the metal turns to corrosion by-product), the other material gains electrons and ions in the electrolyte join up with them and deposit (such as in electroplating process).

You can see examples of 'corrosion' all around... When your silver jewelery turns black, or your copper pot turns green... This is the same process as your car rusting.

It is unusual to think of gold 'rusting' that is because it is so high up on the potential chart, that there are not many materials that can cause it to oxidize.

Answer 2

Most metals corrode with the exception of the noble metals such as gold and platinum. Aluminium can corrode quite badly to form aluminium oxide (the theory of oxide layer protection falls down in practice on my aluminium bodied sports car!) Copper corrodes to form a green coating of copper carbonate, Zinc corrodes to zinc oxide and magnesium forms magnesium oxide. The metals which corrode fastest are caesium, potassium, sodium, barium, lithium, and calcium all making their hydroxides and eventually their carbonates.

Answer 3

Aluminum corrodes to give a tough scale that protects the underlying metal from further corrosion.

Copper corrodes to give a dark brown, or light blue (petina) finish. This is considered to be attractive in many civil projects.

In naval ships and oil pipe lines metals are used as sacrificial anodes. This metal corrodes more easily than the MOC leaving the ship or pipe intact.

Answer 4

Zinc alloy castings used in the electrical trade often suffer electrolytic corrosion with brass or steel when subjected to damp and dirty conditions.

Answer 5

Rust is causedr by Iron. Most stainless has some Iron in it. It may just be dirty. fill it with hot water and a shot of bleach swish it around and let it sitt for an hour or two. Rinse well and your good to go

Answer 6

Aluminium - Aluminium Oxide (but the oxide forms a protecttive coating on the aluminium, protecting it from further oxidation)

Answer 7

copper -copper oxide (tarnish)