MATE306/MATL952 Assignment

1. Radial steel belted automobile tires are commonly constructed of rubber reinforced
with braided steel wire, each strand coated with copper. The copper coating is included
to enhance adhesion of the rubber tire casing to the wire. How might corrosion
contribute to tire failure?

10 marks

2. Assume that the corrosion of a metal M is controlled completely by activation

polarization for both anodic and cathodic reactions. What is the effect of solution
stirring on the corrosion rate and corrosion potential?

10 marks

3. (a). Plot the appropriate polarization curves for the following half cell reactions and
determine the corrosion potential and corrosion rate (current density) assuming
activation control of both the anodic and cathodic processes.
M = M+ + e- e = -0.4 V, i0 = 10-9 A/cm2, a = +0.1 V
2H+ + 2e- = H2, e = +0.2V, , i0 = 10-9 A/cm2, c = -0.1 V
(b). Same as (a), but assume the limiting current density for the reduction reaction is
10-7A/cm2. Again determine the corrosion potential and corrosion rate from your plot.

20 marks

4. Assuming standard states for all reactants and products, determine the spontaneous
direction of the following reactions by calculating the cell potential:

a. Ni + 2HCl = NiCl2 + 3H2

b. Fe + 2HCl = FeCl2 + H2
c. 2AgNO3 + Fe = Fe(NO3)2 + 2Ag
d. Ag + FeCl3 = FeCl2 + AgCl
e. 2Al + 3ZnSO4 = Al2(SO4)3 + 3Zn
15 Marks

5. a) Write possible oxidation and reduction half-reactions during uniform corrosion in

the following: a) aluminum in air-free sulfuric acid; b) iron in air-free acid ferric sulfate
solution; c) carbon steel in aerated seawater,; d) zinc-tin alloy in an oxygen saturated
solution of hydrochloric acid; e) Zinc in deaerated seawater.

15 marks
6. a) Based on your general knowledge, list some examples of corrosion occurring either
in industry or in our daily life.
b) In the case of the failure of a steam pipe due to corrosion in a nuclear power
generation plant, what are some the cost (both economic and social ) which may
result from this failure.
5 Marks

7. a) Describe the definition of Oxidation, Reduction and Corrosion.

b) In a Galvanic cell, oxidation and reduction occur in what electrodes respectively.

5 Marks

8. A copper valve is used in the waste exit line from a pharmaceutical process reactor
which is producing iodine-containing organics. The waste stream is composed of air-
saturated 15% sulfuric acid with the following impurities; ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate,
potassium iodide and iodine.

From the electrochemical data listed below, determine the corrosion rate of the copper
valve in this system. Assume all Tafel constants are 0.1 V

Cu = Cu2+ + 2e- ; e = 0.35 V, io = 10-4 A/cm2

H2 = 2H+ + 2e- ; e = 0.02 V, io = 2 x 10-7 A/cm2 (on Cu)

Ilim,(H+H2) = 2 x 10-1 A/cm2, iLim, (H2H+) = 10-4 A/cm2

Fe2+ = Fe3+ + e- ; e = 0.850 V, io = 8 x 10-5 A/cm2 (on Cu)

ILim,(Fe3+Fe2+) = 6 x 10-3 A/cm2
ILim,(Fe2+Fe3+) = 2 x 10-4 A/cm2

I2 + 2e- = 2I- ; e = 0.430 V, io = 10-3 A/cm2,

ILim,(I2I-) = 2 x 10-3 A/cm2,
ILim,(I-I2) = 2 x 10-2 A/cm2.
20 marks