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-----Info Request on Corrosion
Could someone please tell me about corrosion or what causes it to happen. What readily available metals corrode the fastest? I already know a little on the subject, but any information would be helpful. PLEASE DON"T GIVE ME INFORMATION ON CORROSION PREVENTION!
Derek L.
- Bancroft
2001
It depends on what you mean by 'readily available'. Because, through modern industrial practices, metals which rapidly corrode such as aluminum and magnesium are readily available, whereas they are not readily available in nature. Why aren't they readily available in nature? Because they corrode!
You didn't mention what grade you are in, so it's hard to explain corrosion without being either too deep or too shallow.
Picture burning a log until it is just smoke and ash. It gives off heat in the process. Turning ash and smoke back into a log is a far more difficult trick.
Or picture a domino standing on it's edge the tall way. It doesn't take much effort or skill to knock it down onto its back, but it's a bigger trick to shake a domino into standing on edge again.
Most metals are inherently unbalanced, they are not in a good rest state, whereas after they react with oxygen the new molecule of metal and oxygen is balanced better, more stable, and at a lower energy state like a domino lying on its back. If a metal is wet or salty the reaction goes faster, much as a log will burn faster than it will rot.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
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2001
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