ABSTRACT
Corrosion may be regarded as the usually unwanted interaction of a metallic component with the environment in which it exists. The corrosion environment may in general be liquid or gaseous. Metal loss is the immediate consequence of the anodic oxidation process. The electron flow between the anode and the cathode constitutes the corrosion current, the value of which is determined by the rate of production of electrons and hence the rate of corrosion. A corrosion resistant film may result if, after initial exposure to the environment a thin, uniform, adherent, continuous film is formed on the metal surface. Corrosion reactions must follow the electrochemical law that the rate of the anodic reaction must equal that of the cathodic reaction. The corrosion of metal surface is dependent upon both the associated anodic and cathodic processes, and the corrosion potential of the metal is given at the intersection of the anodic and cathodic polarization curves.
