Concept in Definition ABC

From a strictly chemical point of view, corrosion is a type of reaction, specifically the reduction of an oxide. Three are involved in this process factors differentiated: the characteristics of the metal used, the environment or the water that is in contact with the metal piece and the electrochemical reaction.

The corrosion process

The earth's atmosphere contains oxygen and water vapor and these two elements are what activate the corrosion process. When a piece of steel is heated to carbon, an oxide is formed and when magnesium is heated, a reaction is created with the oxygen in the air creating magnesium oxide. For iron or steel to corrode into rust, these metals must be exposed to moisture or moisture. rain.

Metals rust due to law or octet rule. According to this law, when the oxidation of an atom takes place the altered element suffers a loss of electrons. Thus, there is a reducing agent that oxidizes an element. There are two versions of rust or corrosion, slow or fast. The first occurs because the metal is in contact with air and water and the second is due to the action of

combustion that generates heat.

Although metals degrade and corrode over time due to the presence of oxidizing agents, there are some systems to prevent corrosion:

1) protect the metal surface with some substance, usually sealing oil or a galvanized layer of zinc and

2) Prevent ion flow between metals with galvanizing or anodizing process.

From chemistry to everyday language

Corrosion is a process that can be explained chemically. However, the term corrosion is also used in other contexts of the language. If someone has a problem that deeply distresses him, he can say that "something is corroding him inside."

Likewise, when we feel a deep envy we say that "envy corrodes me." If I have doubts about a certain matter, I can say that "I have a doubt that is corroding me." In these expressions a curious phenomenon is revealed: our feelings Y emotions they are comparable to all kinds of phenomena related to chemistry.

In fact, if two people do not connect well, it can be said that "there is no chemistry between them."

On the other hand, the relationship between chemistry and emotions is not only used in a metaphorical sense, but actually human emotions are expressible in the language of chemistry (for example, endorphins are neuro-peptides that circulate in the bloodstream and are responsible for feelings of well-being and good humor).

Photo: Fotolia - leo_nik

Corrosion Issues