Corrosion Module - Lecture 1

Lecture 1.
Initial Assessment (survey/questionnaire)
Presentation 1. Problem introduction, class objectives, development of class
Presentation 2. Introduction to Corrosion - Definitions

Initial Assessment
The initial assessment will serve as a guide for the professor to track the progress of
the students after the development of the corrosion module has been taught in the
course of 20 lectures. A questionnaire will be given to each student participating in
the module at the beginning of the first lecture containing open ended questions,
true and false questions and a design question.

Open Ended Questions

1.
2.
3.
4.

When someone says corrosion is a problem/issue, what does that mean?

What are some strategies to keep roadways clear of snow and ice?
How do these strategies affect the corrosion of vehicles and roadways?
How can we monitor the effect of snow and ice removal on the corrosion of
vehicles and roadways?
5. What can be done to prevent corrosion of vehicles and roadways caused by snow
and ice removal?

True and False Questions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Stainless steel is less corrosion resistant than carbon steel.

Salt brine is more corrosive than water.
Cleaning a car after exposure to salt will not prevent corrosion.
Corroded parts on a vehicle are not as strong as non-corroded parts.
Coated part are better protected from corrosion than bare metals.

Design Question

Assume that your vehicle is experiencing corrosion during the winter months.
Design a strategy that could be used to prevent corrosion. IDENTIFY what factors
cause corrosion. EXPLAIN how your design provides corrosion protection. JUSTIFY
your design using cost and safety.

Presentation 1. Class Introduction

The corrosion module is introduced to the class by presenting the following

Problem Statement
Class Objectives
Development of Class

Problem Statement

The first part of the problem statement is a question directed to the students with
the two general expected answers.
Question

Answers
Material Selection

How can we build and protect a salt

truck?

Corrosion Protection Strategies

(washing techniques, corrosion
protective coatings)

In the following slides, the problem is announced and more questions are asked to
get students attention and make them think about the possible answers to the
problem presented to them.
Departments of Transportation are in charge of maintaining the roads motorists use
every day. Safe and clean roads are a must and during the winter season salt trucks
keep the streets free of ice and snow by plowing and employing deicers such as
salt.
Salt trucks are exposed to harsh environments that accelerate the process of
corrosion.

What can we do? What are the questions we need to answer? (read below)
1. What would you do to protect these assets?
2. What metals would you use to build a SALT TRUCK?
3. Which corrosion protection strategies would you recommend to keep SALT
TRUCKS corrosion-free?

Class Objectives

The expected goals for the class are as follow:

Understand the basic concepts of corrosion

Study the causes of corrosion
Determine the variables affecting metals
Suggest possible solutions to the problem
Evaluate metal performance experimentally
Recommend best practices

Development of Class

The work plan for the class is presented here by enumerating the steps to follow
during the course of the module

Evaluation of problem
Definition of concepts
Experimentation
Discussion
Presentation

Presentation 2. Introduction to Corrosion - Definitions

Two basic definitions are introduced with images that recreate the common
understanding of the phenomenon. Three definitions of corrosion are later
presented to illustrate differences among book authors.

Basic definitions

Formation of compounds on the surface of the metal

Deterioration of metals by their reaction with oxygen and water

Book definitions

Is the destructive attack of a metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction

with its environment[1].
Is the destructive result of chemical reactions between a metal and the
environment[2].
Is the deterioration of a material due to a reaction with its environment[3].

Book references from the definitions shown above:

[1] Uhlig, H. Corrosion and Corrosion Control
[2] Jones, D. Principles and Prevention of Corrosion
[3] Fontana, M. Corrosion Engineering

Corrosion can be seen everywhere around us and we can identify it in several

examples. A visual representation show us how bad metals can deteriorate with
time. A first introduction to the solution of the problem is represented with images
that highlight the technologies to remedy an issue that affect the economy at high
proportions.

Links and other resources

http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Analytical_Chemistry/Electrochemistry/Case_Studies/Co
rrosion
http://corrosion-doctors.org/Principles/What-is.htm
http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/basics_of_corrosion_control.pdf
http://corrosion.ksc.nasa.gov/corr_fundamentals.htm