Galvanic corrosion

Galvanic corrosion is either a chemical or

an electrochemical corrosion. The latter is
due to a potential difference between two
different metals connected through a
circuit for current flow to occur from more
active metal (more negative potential) to
the more noble metal (more positive
potential)
Galvanic coupling is a galvanic cell in
which the anode is the less corrosion
resistant metal than the cathode

Galvanic corrosion can be predicted by

using the electromotive force (emf) or
standard potential series for metal
reduction listed in Table at the next slide
In selecting two metals or two alloys for a
galvanic coupling, both metals should
have similar potentials or be close to each
other in the series in order to suppress
galvanic corrosion

Galvanic coupling can be used for

cathodic protection purposes

Other types of galvanic coupling are

batteries and fuel cells
Lithium Ambient-Temperature
Batteries (LAMBS)
Lead-Acid Battery
Dry-Cell Battery
Sintered Nickel Electrode in
Alkaline Batteries

MICROSTRUCTURAL
EFFECTS

A mechanically deformed metal or

alloy can experience galvanic
corrosion due to
differences
in
atomic
plane
distortion and a high dislocation
density

 Improper
heat
treatment
can
cause
nonuniform microstructure and therefore,
galvanic-phase corrosion is enhanced in
corrosive media
Galvanic
corrosion
can
occur
in
a
polycrystalline alloys, such as pearlitic steels,
due to differences in microstructural phases
In this case, pearlite consists of ferrite and
cementite and when it is etched with a mild
acid, which is the electrolyte, galvanic
microcells between ferrite (cathode) and
cementite (anode) are generated.
Consequently, pearlite is revealed as dark
cementite andwhite ferrite.

LOCALIZED CORROSION
This term implies that specific parts of an
exposed surface area corrodes in a
suitable electrolyte. This form of corrosion
is more difficult to control than general
corrosion.
Crevice Corrosion which is associated
with a stagnant electrolyte such as dirt,
corrosion product, sand, etc. It occurs on a
metal/alloy surface holes,underneath a
gasket, lap joints under bolts, under rivet
heads.

 Filiform Corrosion is basically a special type of

crevice corrosion, which occurs under a protective
film. It is common on food and beverage cans
being exposed to the atmosphere.
Pitting Corrosion is an extremely localized
corrosion mechanism that causes destructive pits.
Oral Corrosion occurs on dental alloys exposed
to saliva.
Biological Corrosion due to fouling organisms
non-uniformly adhered on steel in marine
environments.
Selective Leaching Corrosion is a metal
removal process from the base alloy matrix, such
as dezincification ( Zn is removed) in Cu-Zn
alloys and graphitization (Fe is removed) in cast
irons.

PITTING CORROSION
This form of corrosion is extremely localized
and it manifests itself as holes on a metal
surface.
The initial formation of pits is difficult to
detect due to the small size, but it requires a
prolong time for visual detection.
This form of corrosion can be found on
aluminum and its alloys and automobile
chromium-plated bumpers or body coated
(painted) parts due to film/coating breakdown
at isolated surface sites.
Pits vary in shape, but are very small surface
holes due to the extremely localized anodic
reaction sites

 The initiation of pits occurs at localized

sites on a metal surface defects, which
may be due to coating failure,
mechanical discontinuities or microstructural phase heterogeneities such
as secondary phases.
The depth of pits can be found: d =tn