How Acid Affects The Rate Of Corrosion

Cars and bikes are good examples of strong steel. Steel can be affected by water because the main element in steel is iron. Iron and another element called oxygen combine easily to make iron oxide. Iron oxide is also known as the red and brown substance called rust. Rust is known for turning into a different, weaker material than the original steel that it once was. When rust appears it becomes a huge problem for people because most everyday things they use are made out of steel, like vehicles, bridges, and machinery. All of these objects, like the car and the bike, rust and become damaged. Even with the possibility of rust, steel is used throughout the world through its strength and weight. Steel is non-flammable, does not expand or contract under …show more content…
Metal atoms quickly corrode and weaken the original material if they are made with iron. Zinc and chromium corrode slowly even though the corroding can actually help because the oxide coat that forms from the reaction that happens with these types of metals can prevent any type of bad corrosion. Chromium is often mixed into steel because when the chromium starts to corrode, it creates a chromium oxide layer that protects the outside of steel that slows down the corrosion of the iron in the steel. For example, pots and pans used for cooking are made of steel, but that steel contains chromium which means even when water hits the pots and pans it doesn’t corrode and stays shiny,not rusty. Painting or embedding steel in concrete is another way to prevent that steel from rusting. Heat is produced off rust which is considered an exothermic reaction. Other factors like, chemical salts, temperature, and oxygen affect the rate of corrosion. The increasing of the efficiency of the electrolyte increases the rate of corrosion by chemical salts. These salts can form inside the stone which makes it crack and slowly dissolve from the inside.