1.15 Corrosion

What is corrosion?

• Corrosion is the process of polishing metals to enhance their appearance.
• Corrosion is the immediate melting of metals when exposed to water.
• Corrosion is the application of heat to strengthen materials.
• Corrosion is the gradual destruction of materials, especially metals, due to chemical reactions with their environment.
• Corrosion is the process of painting metals to protect them.

True or False?
Corrosion always leads to the complete destruction of a metal.

• True

• False

True or False?
Corrosion and rust are the same thing.

• True

• False

True or False?
Rust only occurs when aluminum is present.

• True

• False

True or False?

Rust only occurs when iron is present.

• True

• False

Select the true statements. There can be more than 1.

• When iron is exposed to air or water, this causes rust.

• When iron is exposed to acid, this causes rust.

• When iron is exposed to salt, this causes rust.

• The presence of salt speeds up rusting.

• The presence of acid speeds up rusting.

Select all valid strategies of preventing corrosion. There can be more than 1 correct answer.

• Use products made of aluminum

• Use products made of iron

• Use products that are coated in or made of plastic

• Use products made of steel

• Use products made of copper or brass

What is galvanization?

• Galvanization is the process of coating iron or steel with zinc to prevent corrosion.
• A method of painting steel to enhance its appearance.
• A process of heating iron to increase its strength.
• A way to recycle old steel into new products.
• The technique of mixing iron with aluminum for better durability.

Which of these is likely to rust the quickest?

• Galvanized iron

• Copper

• Iron coated in plastic

• Aluminum
• Iron