Corrosion: Basics, Adverse Effects and Its Mitigation

Abstract

Corrosion is a worldwide problem affecting the industrial economy and safety, causing excessive losses from electronics to infrastructure, energy, and healthcare. Corrosion is the material deterioration into its constituent atoms due to a complex electrochemical process with the rusting environment. This degradation process, which usually occurs over a metal surface, is commonly known as rusting and depends mainly on the environment as well as the nature of the affected material. Naturally, metal elements are affected by atmospheric environments (rural, urban, industrial, or marine places), climatic factors (humidity, pH, and temperature), or pollutants compounds (CO2, SO2, artificial fertilizers, etc.) generated by anthropogenic activity. Corrosion inhibition is controlled by underlying thermodynamic and kinetic factors. Applied technologies comprise metallurgical approaches such as substrate chemical modification or specialized protective layers. Plating, painting, and applying enamel are the most common anticorrosive methodologies that provide a physical barrier between the metallic substrate and the damaging surroundings. However, new regulations on chemicals and coating manufacturing are increasing consumer environmental awareness. As a result, demand for eco-friendly products drives the protective coating industry towards circularity and sustainable development.