A recent story in my city about leaking current in our light rail system got me intrigued. It baffles me how electricity could possibly weaken or corrode metal. As may be obvious I am no expert in the topic so please be kind. Thanks a million.
2007-07-11 08:53:12 · 4 answers · asked by justntime2c 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Corrosion of iron is an electrical phenomenon. Very slight electrical currents are produced by contact of iron with salts in water. These currents cause the combination of iron with oxygen to make iron oxide, which is rust. Eventually the iron is eaten away.
Current leaking through steel from an outside source can actually accelerate the corrosion process. However, there has to be water present also.
2007-07-11 09:06:38 · answer #1 · answered by mr.perfesser 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The leaking current is DC voltage and in the right direction you get galvanic corrosion really fast.
You put two different types of metal in conductive solution you get a battery and will eat up one plate while building up on the other.
2007-07-11 09:24:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it is all electrolysis ,and can eat up most metals,and especially like galvanize and copper. If u need to connect u must put cadmium in between . Even a hole that is corroded into a pipe ,it is all electrolysis.
2007-07-11 09:28:35 · answer #3 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Extra electrons could accelerate a redox reaction. Redox is what causes metal to rust. The transfer of electons would make reduction occur in some places and oxidation in others. I can't rememberthe specifics of what happens to steel ( iron with a bit of carbon mixed in). but you should look up redox reactions.
2007-07-11 09:06:48 · answer #4 · answered by Gwenilynd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋