CORROSION

Lab report

This report contains comparison in corrosion rate calculation between different
metals

2013
Written by
Muhammad Umair (4214900)

Subject MATL 952

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Table of Contents
1a)MATERIALS USED IN THE TEST: ................................................................................................................ 2
1b) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: ................................................................................................................. 2
1b.1) PREPARATION OF SAMPLES AND TESTING: ..................................................................................... 2
1b.2) INSTRUMENT USED: ........................................................................................................................ 2
1b.3) OBSERVATIONS: ............................................................................................................................... 2
2) RESULTS: ................................................................................................................................................... 3
2a.1)Zinc IN WATER: ................................................................................................................................. 3
2a.2) Zinc IN 3 wt% KCl : ........................................................................................................................... 3
2a.3)Zinc IN WATER 3 wt% KCl AND 0.1N HCl: ......................................................................................... 4
2a.4) COMPARISON OF ABOVE THREE PLOT: ........................................................................................... 4
3a.1) STAINLESS STEEL IN WATER: ............................................................................................................ 5
3a.2) STAINLESS STEEL IN 3 wt% KCl: ........................................................................................................ 5
3a.3) STAINLESS STEEL IN 3 wt% KCl and 0.1M HCl: ................................................................................. 6
3a.4) COMPARISON OF ABOVE THREE PLOT: ........................................................................................... 6
4) COMPARISON OF ZINC AND STAINLESS STEEL IN TERM OF CORROSION: ............................................... 7
5) DISSCUSION: ............................................................................................................................................. 7










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1a)MATERIALS USED IN THE TEST:
Stainless Steel
Zinc
Above materials judged in water first then with 3 wt% KCl subsequently 3 wt% KCl + 0.1N
HCl solution respectively and then we found out which material is best in term of corrosion
resistant.
1b) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
1b.1) PREPARATION OF SAMPLES AND TESTING:
First we had prepared 3 wt% KCl and 3% KCl +0.1N HCl solutions. Then we tested
polarization curve of stainless steel in fresh pure water. After that we tested polarization curve of
stainless steel in 3 wt% KCl and then 3% KCl +0.1N HCl solutions, respectively.
We repeated that process with a zinc sheet as well as a working electrode, respectively.

1b.2) INSTRUMENT USED:

A flask containing solution first water then 3 wt% KCl and 3% KCl +0.1N HCl solutions
Electrochemical analyzer for converting signals into electrical so we can see in the
computer by software.
Electrodes shown in the bottom figure in which one is reference electrode while other is
platinum made.
Sheet (Zinc and Stainless Steel) that dips in the solution in available figure
Weight measuring instrument that is used for the weighting KCl so we can produce true
amount of solution we required for this experiment



Figure 1
1b.3) OBSERVATIONS:
We observed the Tafel plot on each electrolyte with different solution as mention above then we
determined the corrosion current and respected potential after that we compared the result and
evaluated the most promising corrosion resistant material.

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2) RESULTS:
2a.1)Zinc IN WATER:
Open potential = -0.75 V
I corr = -4.4 A
E corr = -0.97 V


2a.2) Zinc IN 3 wt% KCl :
Open potential = -0.9 V
I corr = -2.045 A
E corr = -0.885 V



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2a.3)Zinc IN WATER 3 wt% KCl AND 0.1N HCl:
Open potential = -0.95 V
I corr = -1.39 A
E corr = -1.115 V




2a.4) COMPARISON OF ABOVE THREE PLOT:
In comparison, I noticed that I corr value value in consistently increasing from plot 1 to 3. It
means water will provide less effect in corrosion rate as compare to other two solutions while
Zinc in water 3 wt% KCl and 0.1n HCl has big value of I corr indeed Zinc carrion will be higher
in this solution as compare to other two.







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3a.1) STAINLESS STEEL IN WATER:
Open potential = -0.12 V
E corr = 0.215 V
I corr = -5.81 A



3a.2) STAINLESS STEEL IN 3 wt% KCl:
Open potential = -0.35 V
I corr = -3.4 A
E corr = -0.51 V



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3a.3) STAINLESS STEEL IN 3 wt% KCl and 0.1M HCl:
Open potential = -0.38 V
I corr = -2.52 A
E corr = -0.24 V





3a.4) COMPARISON OF ABOVE THREE PLOT:
In comparison, I noticed that Icorr value in consistently increasing from plot 1 to 3. It means
water will provide less effect in corrosion rate as compare to other two solutions while Stainless
Steel in water 3 wt% KCl and 0.1n HCl has big value of Icorr indeed Stainless Steel corrosion
will be higher in this solution as compare to other two.






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4) COMPARISON OF ZINC AND STAINLESS STEEL IN
TERM OF CORROSION:
By the above results it can be acquired that Stainless Steel is more corrosion resistant as
compared to the Zinc because if you notice the I corr value in Water ,3 wt% KCl, and 3 wt % KCl
+ 0.1N HCl solutions respectively Zinc has higher corrosion rate than Stainless Steel.
5) DISSCUSION:
a) Write possible oxidation and reduction half-reactions during corrosion of stainless steel,
zinc, and aluminum in 3 wt% KCl solution.

Answer:
Half-reactions during corrosion of Stainless Steel zinc in 3 wt% KCl solution,



+ 3

(Oxidation)
3

+ 3

3K (Reduction)


Half-reactions during corrosion of Zinc in 3 wt% KCl solution,



+ 2

(Oxidation)
2

+ 2

2K (Reduction)


b) From the polarization curves, determine the corrosion potential and corrosion current of
stainless steel, zinc and aluminium in 1) pure water; 2) 3 wt% KCl solution; 3) 3 wt%
KCl + 0.1N HCl solution, respectively.

Answer:

I have drawn tangent lines in the curve as demonstrated in the lab manual and evaluate corrosion
current and corrosion potential values. I have types all the results in results section above.


c) Which metal is more corrosion resistant in the KCl solution? Why?

Answer:

After evaluating results I can say that Stainless Steel is more corrosion resistant in the KCl
solution because of having less value of I corr of stainless steel as compared to the Zinc in the
KCl solution.


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a) As an engineer, describe all possible corrosion prevention techniques you will apply and
explain why.

Answer:

SELF PROTECTING METAL:

In this practice we combine metal with the Oxygen it forms the thin layer on the surface
so the corrosive ion would not penetrate and interact with the metal by this technique
metal will be protected.

REDUCING TEMPERATURE:

It works sometime but not really promising technique in which we reduce temperature
this will slow down kinetic of oxidation and reduction reaction probably decrease the
corrosion rate.

ADDING INHIBITORS:

By adding inhibitors it reduces oxidation and reduction reaction by reacting with the
oxygen in the surface for instance PAINTS.

CATHODIC PROTECTION:

This technique is used to protect the metal from corrosion by making it the cathode of
an electrochemical cell. A simple method of protection connects protected metal to a
more easily corroded "sacrificial metal" to act as the anode. The sacrificial metal then
corrodes instead of the protected metal.