Protection against corrosion

Fig. 17: Crevice situation with an anchor fastening

Materials suitably resistant to an attacking medium must be used

for fasteners if a reliable fastening solution is to be guaranteed.
If two or more metals are combined and these are linked Avoidance of
conductively with direct contact or contact through a medium, contact corrosion
attention must be paid to their electrochemical compatibility.
Every metal has a certain electrochemical potential which is
dependent on the medium. The relative positions of chemical
elements are shown in diagram 7, electrochemical / electro-
motive force series of elements.

22

1.5
1.5 •The more negative, the
greater is the tendency to
11 transform to the ion state.
==> To dissolve
VH

0.5
0.5 •The less noble (lower in
VinH V
in in

the series) forces the

Spannung
Voltage

00 more noble (higher in the

Pt = Pt++++
Ni = Ni++

Pb = Pb++
Voltage

Mg = Mg++

Mn = Mn++
BE++

Cd = Cd++
Co = Co++

Cu = Cu++

Hg2+
= Hg2+
Fe = Fe++
Cr = Cr++

H2 = 2H
Sn = Sn++
Al+++

Zn = Zn++
Al = Al+++

As+++

Ag = Ag+

Au = Au+
= As+++
Be = BE+

series) out of their

-0.5
-0.5 solutions.
2Hg =
As =

2Hg
As

==> The more noble

-1
-1 deposits itself metallically,
the less noble dissolves.
-1.5
-1.5 •Hydrogen is converted to
the molecular state
-2
-2 by the less noble metal.
==> These metals are
soluble in acid.
Diagram 7: Electrochemical / electromotive force series of elements Purely thermodynamic
quantity

43
 Protection against corrosion

0.5
“noble”
0

-0.5
Electromotive force series
Voltage VH

(1 Mol Lsg, 25°C,1atm)

-1
Potential in rain water / dew
And spray in atmosphere
-1.5
Potential in sea water
-2
Al Zn Fe Cd Ni Pb H2 Cu V2A
“not noble”

Diagram 8 shows the electrochemical behaviour of these

elements / materials on the basis of a few examples and
“medium conditions” (electrochemical / electromotive force
series and practical series).

Taking aluminium (Al) as an example, it is clear to see that this

metal reacts far more like a noble metal, due to its tendency to
form a covering layer in the atmosphere, than this would be
expected from the theory of the electromotive force series of
elements. When estimating the probability of contact corrosion
in practice, therefore, it is important to be accurately informed
about the medium and the electrochemical potential of the
material under consideration.

The ratio of surface areas of the linked metals is also crucial for
the rate of corrosion. Here, it should be remembered that, from
an electrochemical point of view, the less noble metal should
always have a much larger surface area. In view of the fact that
a fastener is normally always the smaller component and thus
has a smaller surface area, the fastener should either be made
of the same material as the part fastened or, if this is not
possible, of a nobler material.

44
 Protection against corrosion

The following table 5 shows the suitability of the respective

metal couple. It also shows which two metals in contact are
permissible in field practice and which should rather be
avoided.

Fastener El.-chem. Aluminium Stainless steel

Hot-dipped Structural Brass
galvanised galvanised alloy
steel
Fastened part
Zinc
Hot-dipped galv. steel
Aluminium alloy
Cadmium coating
Structural steel
Cast steel
Chromium steel
CrNi(Mo) steel
Tin
Copper
Brass

Slight or no corrosion of fastener

Heavy corrosion of fastener
Moderate corrosion of fastener

Table 5: Metal couples dependent on medium

If an “unfavourable” combination of different materials

cannot be avoided, suitable measures can be taken to avoid
contact corrosion, for example electrical insulation using
plastic parts, like washers, sleeves, etc.

Fig. 18: Galvanic separation using plastic and rubber

45