I.

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Corrosion is the process wherein a less desirable material is produced from the original metal

and losses its functions. Moreover, the corrosion product that are usually seen especially in steel is the

rust which forms on its surface. For corrosion to occur for example in steel, the Fe in the surface of a

component should undergo changes wherein the iron atom loses some electrons making it a positively

charged ion. It allows to bond to negatively charged atoms. As what can be observed, steel rusts to form

iron oxide indicating that water and oxygen needs to be present. The following reaction occurs.

2Fe + O2 + 2H2O 2Fe(OH)2

As the oxygen dissolves in water, it then reacts with the iron hydroxide

forming hydrated iron oxide.

4Fe(OH)2 + O2 2H2O + 2Fe2O3.H2O

Hence, in corrosion process it can be said that ions and oxygen are involved

and a medium which is in most cases is water is needed. Also before the reaction

can start, the metal has to give up its electrons to form the new material.
Significance of the study

Understanding the concept of corrosion gives engineers the proper

techniques to prevent or if not at least control the rate of corrosion as it is costly in

industrialized places, highways and especially in homes.

Objectives of the study

The experiment aims to measure the rate of corrosion of the metal specimen

using hydrochloric acid as the acid solution.

II. METHODOLOGY

A 210-mL solution was prepared with a concentration of 1.8 M HCl. With the

HCl given with a purity of 37%, the amount of HCl needed was computed to come

up with the concentration of 1.8 M HCl which was 31.29 mL HCl and an amount of

178.71 mL H2O was added. A sample of nut which was identified as a tool steel was

weighed and was recorded as the initial weight. The specimen was then

submerged in the solution and was enclosed in the container. After the first week,

the specimen was then weighed again. Subsequent weighing of the specimen was

done on the second and on the third week. The rate of corrosion was then

calculated for the steel specimen.

 III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The metal specimens weight drastically changed after the first week it has

been submerged on the1.8 M HCl solution which was 25.04 grams from 34.56

grams of initial weight. A difference of 9.52 grams. On the second week after it has

been submerged, the metal specimens weight was 24.97 grams. It yielded a

difference of 0.07 grams and on the third week the samples weight was 24.9

having a difference of 0.07 grams from the previous weight. The drastic change in

weight on the first week can be explained by the acidity of the solution in which

the breaking down of materials is much faster on stronger acids and less weight

loss after the exposure to the acid indicating corrosion. A summary of the data and

a graph for the weight difference is shown below.

Weight Weight Difference

Initial 34.56 grams
1st week 25.04 grams 9.52 grams
2nd week 24.97 grams 0.07 grams
3rd week 24.90 grams 0.07 grams
Table 1. Summary of data.
 Weeks vs. Weight Difference
10
9
8
7
6

Weight Difference 5
4
3
2
1
0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Weeks

Figure 1. Graph for the weight difference versus weeks.

The rate of corrosion was then calculated by having the difference of the

initial weight and the third weeks weight and dividing by total days that it has

been submerged on the solution. The specimens rate of corrosion was then

determined to be 0.019 grams/hr.

IV. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

The metal specimens corrosion rate was determined to be 0.019 grams/hr

using a 1.8 M HCl solution. A much better data analyzation could have been made

if a same sample of different concentration and pH was made. Also, a proper

drying in weighing the sample should be practiced so as to have a more accurate

result since moisture could still be present upon weighing.

 V. REFERENCES

Hinds, G. (2003). Beginners guide to corrosion. Retrieved from

www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/beginners_guide_to_corrosion.pdf

Effects of pH value against the corrosion of metals (2012). Retrieved from

https://laporanipa.wordpress.com/science-2/effect-of-ph-value-against-the-

corrosion-of-metals/

The effect of pH Level on corrosion (2014). Retrieved from

http://gmsstemfairnelias.weebly.com/