[

CHM031L CHEMISTRY FOR

ENGINEERS (LABORATORY)

CORROSION OF METALS
[LEARNING OBJECTIVES
q Observe the reactions of different metals
placed in aqueous solutions of various pH.
(CO1,2,3,4)

qDetermine the effect of mechanical stress on

the corrosion of metals. (CO1,2,3,4)

qDetermine the effects of metal coupling on

the corrosion of metals. (CO1,2,3,4)
[ CORROSION

• the process in which a metal, in

its uncombined form, is
transformed into oxides or
some other metal salt because
of its interaction with its
surroundings (usually moisture
in air).
• Causes gradual
deterioration/degradation of
metals
[ CORROSION
• electrochemical in nature,
and thus involves transfer of
electrons in the presence of
oxygen, but the process can
be affected further by
exposure to certain
substances such as salts or
other metals.

Reduction-oxidation reaction (REDOX reaction)

[
OXIDATAION-REDUCTION REACTIONS

ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTION

[ OXIDATAION-REDUCTION REACTIONS

LEORA – Loss of Electron, Oxidation, Reducing Agent

GEROA – Gain of Electron, Reduction, Oxidizing Agent
[OXIDATAION-REDUCTION REACTIONS

OXIDATION ANODE
Cu à Cu2+ + 2 e- LEORA

REDUCTION CATHODE
Ag+ + e- à Ag GEROA

ü an electrolyte with oxidizing species, and

ü some direct electrical connection between the anode
and cathode.
[Materials
Chemicals
• 0.1 M HCl • Iron nails
• 0.1 M NaOH • Zinc strips
• 0.1 M NaCl • Copper strips
• K3Fe(CN)6 indicator • Aluminum strips
• Agar • Litmus paper (red)
• Phenolphthalein • Litmus paper (blue)
• FeSO4 • Distilled water
[ Materials
Apparatus

• Hot plate • Petri dish

• Pipet • Beakers (400 or 600 mL)
• Rubber bulb aspirator • Test tubes
• Stirring rod • Pliers
• Watch glass • Top loading balance
[ Procedure
REACTIONS OF METALS WITH VARIOUS AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
5 clean and bright nails
Slide carefully down each of the test tubes
Fill each test tube with the test solutions (0.1 M HCl,
0.1 M NaOH, 0.1 M NaCl, and distilled water and
control) such that the nails are completely immersed.
Stand overnight.
Nail in an aqueous solution
Observe and record changes.
Add one to two drops of 0.1 M K3Fe(CN)6 solution
Nail in an aqueous solution with 0.1 M K3Fe(CN)6
[ Procedure
REACTIONS OF METALS WITH VARIOUS AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Table 3.1 Observations on iron nails placed in different solutions.

Observations
Solution
Without K3Fe(CN)6 With K3Fe(CN)6 Acidic/Basic/

Neutral
HCl
NaOH
NaCl
Distilled H2O
control

Table 3.2. Observations on the reaction between FeSO4 and K3Fe(CN)6.

FeSO4 + K3Fe(CN)6

[ Procedure
REACTIONS OF METALS WITH VARIOUS AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH, 0.1 M NaCl, and distilled water
Determine the acidity of each solution using litmus
paper or phenolphthalein

pH

1.00 mL of ferrous sulfate solution

Place in a test tube
Add one to two drops of 0.1 M K3Fe(CN)6 solution
ferrous sulfate solution + 0.1 M K3Fe(CN)6
[Procedure
PREPARATION OF AGAR MEDIUM
~ 100 mL of dH2O in a beaker
Boil gently.
Remove the heat and add 0.5 g agar with stirring.
Continue heating with stirring until the agar is
dispersed.
Add 10 drops of 0.1 M K3Fe(CN)6 solution and 2
drops of phenolphthalein.
Stir and cool the mixture to lukewarm.

Agar medium
[ Procedure
REACTION OF IRON AS INFLUENCED BY MECHANICAL STRESS
2 bright and clean nails
Place one nail on one side of the beaker/petri dish.
Bend the other nail sharply with a pair of pliers.
Place the bent nail on the other side of the beaker
as shown below.
Pour the cooled agar carefully until the nails are
covered completely.
Let it stand overnight.

Nails in an Agar medium

Lay-out of nails in a beaker.
[ Procedure
REACTION OF IRON AS INFLUENCED BY MECHANICAL STRESS

Table 3.3. Effect of mechanical stress on the corrosion of iron nails.

Part Observations
Straight nail Bent nail
Head
Pointed end
Bend portion

Lay-out of nails in a beaker.

[ Procedure
REACTIONS INVOLVING TWO METALS IN CONTACT
2 bright and clean nails
Wind a clean piece of copper strip around one iron nail.
Remove the nail and tighten the copper coil.
Reinsert the nail to the copper coil.
Do the same with zinc strip on the other nail.
Place the nails in a petri dish in a layout shown below.
Pour the lukewarm agar carefully until the nails is
covered completely.
Let it stand overnight.
Nails with metals in contact
in an Agar medium Lay-out of nails in a beaker.
[ Procedure
REACTIONS INVOLVING TWO METALS IN CONTACT
Table 3.4. Effect of metals in contact on the corrosion of iron nails.
Set-up Observations
Fe with Cu
Fe with Zn

Lay-out of nails in a beaker.

[AFTER THE EXPERIMENT
• Complete the preliminary observations in
the report sheet.
• Make sure to come back and gather the
needed data the day after. Please bring with
you the lab kit for cleaning after the
observations.
• Submit the data sheets.
• Answer the post-laboratory questions and
submit it next meeting.