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1. Prepare Galvanic series for metals and alloys in flowing sea water. Compare this with
the series available for stagnant sea water.
2. Construct the Eh pH diagram for the Zn H2O O2 system and comment on its
electrochemical behavior with respect to corrosion
Zn++ + 2e = Zn
Zn (OH)2 + 2H+ + 2e = Zn + 2 H2O
HZnO2- + 3H+ + 2e = Zn + 2 H2O
ZnO2- - + 4H+ + 2e = Zn + 2H2O
F0f in KJ / mol
Zn 0.00
Zn(OH)2 - 554.5
HZnO2- - 463.2
Zn++ - 147.3
ZnO2- - - 390.3
H+ 0.00
OH- - 157.3
H2O - 236.9
3. Comment on the corrosion possibilities in the following cases (all exposed to sea water).
a) Steel propeller shaft in bronze bearing.
b) Steel screw in brass marine hardware
c) Lead antimony solder around copper cable.
4. What are the recommendations you would offer to minimize galvanic corrosion?
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6. You have to design a cathodic protection system for protection of oil drilling platform
structures in a marine environment. There is the possibility of calcareous deposit
formation on the electrode and protected surfaces. Bring out your choice of the protection
method and design aspects with respect to current requirements.
7. Can you design a biofilm sensor using electrical resistance concept in a marine
environment?
10. Mild steel is connected to a copper plate and immersed in a solution containing ferrous
sulfate and copper sulfate at acidic pH.
a) Represent the electrochemical cell.
b) Calculate cell potential assuming any concentrations.
c) Which electrode is anode?
d) Which is cathode?
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11. Represent an electrochemical cell having nickel and cadmium electrodes in equilibrium
with solutions of their ions.
Write down possible reactions and calculate the maximum potential attained from such a
cell.
12. Qualitatively draw anodic polarization diagrams for an active passive alloy in acid
solution for conditions under potentiostatic and galvanostatic polarization.
a. Is there natural and induced passivity?
b. How will you determine pitting potentials of an active-passive metal in the presence
of chloride ions?
c. What is the role of chloride on anodic critical current density?
13. Calculate the theoretical corrosion tendency of zinc in an acid solution containing 0.5M
ZnCl2 at pH 3.
14. Can you estimate the standard potentials at room temperature for:
a) Copper in cyanide and ammoniacal solutions.
b) Zinc in alkaline solution.
15. Calculate the half cell potential of the hydrogen electrode at pH 5 and 10 at partial
pressures of hydrogen at 0.5 and 0.8 atm.
16. Construct an Eh pH diagram for titanium at two different activities (10-3 and 10-6 M ).
Comment on the active-passive behavior.
17. Calculate the rate of zinc oxidation (amp/cm2) if the measured potential is 1.0V (SHE) in
0.5M ZnSO4 a = 0.05V / decade. Refer io value from standard tables.
18. For a overvoltage of 0.2 V for a metal, calculate the anodic exchange current density if the
corrosion current is 1A/m2 and a = 0.05.
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19. Explain the electrochemical basis for criteria for cathodic protection.
20. Explain why corrosion rate of zinc is increased when coupled to a noble metal.
21. Through a potential-current diagram and mixed potential theory, explain corrosion
processes for coupling two active metals .
22. Discuss spontaneous passivation for titanium, when coupled to a noble metal such as
platinum.
23. Illustrate an industrial example for anodic protection with respect to design and efficiency
of protection.
26. How is biofouling linked to metallic corrosion? Explain with a model, bacterial
attachment and biofilm formation on metals exposed to sea water.
27. Discuss with the help of models and polarization diagrams, the cathodic depolarization
theory to explain MIC brought out by SRB.
28. What are the preventive methods for MIC in an industrial environment?
30. Discuss with appropriate examples corrosivity of the human body and the various medical
implants suitable for a particular body function?
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32. Critically assess corrosion prevention methods based on
a. Design
b. Inhibitor addition
c. Surface coatings.
36. Calculate the pressure of hydrogen required to stop corrosion of steel immersed in 0.5M
FeCl2 at pH = 2. EoFe/Fe+ = - 0.44V, Assume Fe++ = 0.75.
38. A current of 3.5 amperes are passed through an electrolyte of copper sulfate solution.
How long it would take to deposit 15 grams of copper?
39. For corrosion of a carbon steel specimen in acid solution and aerated sea water, write
down the probable anodic and cathodic reactions.
40. Calculate the value for 2.303 RT/F for room temperature.
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41. Calculate the cell potential for.
42. With a platinum SCE couple, the redox potential of an aqueous solution was measured
to be +600 mV.
What is the potential versus SHE?
versus Ag / AgCl?
and versus Cu / CuSO4?
45. Inhibitors such as chromates, molybdates and tungstates are added to reduce corrosion rate
of iron.
Show on the Fe H2O O2 diagram, the effect of a known concentration addition of the
above inhibitors on the corrosion region of iron.
46. Clearly bring out the meaning and significance of the following:
a) Flade potential
b) Passivity index
c) Electrical energy content of anode for cathodic protection
d) Controlled potential cathodic protection
e) Electrical shielding in cathodic protection
f) Border line passivity
g) Pitting Potential
h) Protection range for anodic protection
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47. Through graphical representations only explain the following:
a) Effect of solution velocity on the corrosion rate of an active-passive alloy.
b) Typical galvanostatic polarization curve depicting active-passive behavior.
c) Cathodic protection by impressed current density for steel in neutral aerated water.
d) Effect of chromium addition on the anodic polarization behavior of active-passive
stainless steel.
48. Mention whether the statements below are TRUE or FALSE. Then justify your
conclusion based on electrochemical principles:
a) Objective of cathodic protection is to force entire structure to collect current from the
environment.
b) Potential measurements are used most commonly as a criterion for cathodic
protection.
c) Scale formation causes continuous decrease in limiting current for oxygen reduction
on cathodic polarization of steel in sea water.
d) In the active state corrosion rate is proportional to the anodic current density whether
or not the alloy is of the active-passive type.
e) Amount of oxidizer necessary to cause passivation is greater than that required to
maintain passivity.
f) Spontaneous passivation is dependent on the relative positions of cathodic reduction
curve and the maximum of the anodic dissolution curve.
g) Coupling with platinum produces spontaneous passivation of titanium even in the
absence of oxidizers.
h) Cathodic protection is recommended to resist corrosion of steel in an acid medium.
49. Both mercury (as dropping mercury electrode) and platinum are used as indicator
electrodes in electrochemical investigations. Comment on their, electrochemical behavior
with respect to hydrogen reduction and associated overpotential.
50. Draw a general polarization diagram for a corroding metal in an acid environment. Show
effect of cathodic protection to bring down corrosion rate. Compare applied current
requirements for anodic and cathodic control.
51. Estimate the potential to which copper need be polarized for complete cathodic protection
in 0.5M copper sulfate solution.
52. Zinc metal is immersed in a solution containing copper sulfate (Cu++ = 0.5M). What are
the anodic and cathodic reactions and net cell reaction. At what concentration of cupric
ions will the reaction stop?
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53. Match the corrosion terms in left with the most appropriate fitting example from right:
1. Concentration Cell [ ] A. Manganic oxide
2. Polarization [ ] B. Overvoltage
3. Corrosion potential [ ] C. Oxygen gradient
4. Galvanic cell [ ] D. Dry battery
5. Depolariser [ ] E. Exchange current
F. Mixed potential
54. A copper storage tank containing dilute sulfuric acid at pH 0.5 is blanketed with hydrogen
at one atmosphere. Calculate maximum cupric ion contamination of the acid in
moles/liter. What is the corresponding copper contamination if the hydrogen partial
pressure is reduced to 10-3 atmosphere?
55. State as to whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Then justify your
conclusion convincingly
a) Metallic zinc can be electrodeposited from an acid electrolyte without any significant
interference from hydrogen.
b) In corrosion, there is no necessity for discrete anodes and cathodes.
c) Driving force for corrosion, in reality, is the overpotential
d) Stray-current corrosion can be avoided by placing a low resistance metallic conductor
between the two structures involved in current leakage and the affected one.
e) Anodic protection is suitable for all types of metals and alloys irrespective of the
environment.
f) Test coupons of the same metal can be electrically connected to a cathodically
protected structure as a better proof to assess protection.
g) Coupling of zinc with platinum in acid solution results in reducing hydrogen
evolution on zinc, shifting corrosion potential of zinc to more noble values.
h) Galvanized steel tanks can be used for storing hot water without any significant
corrosion.
i) Neither the half-cell electrode potential nor the exchange current can be calculated
from first principles.
j) For two metals close to one another in the EMF series, the corrosion rates in the same
acid solution could be very different.
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56. In mixed electrode systems, bring out clearly the following:
a) Zero current criterion.
b) Multiple reaction processes involved in corrosion of iron with possible hydrogen,
oxygen and ferric ion reduction as cathodic processes.
c) Through a mixed potential diagram, show the effect of coupling zinc and platinum in
a acid medium on the corrosion rate of zinc. Take into consideration area effect.
57. a) What is Tafel relationship? Bring out clearly all the electrochemical parameters
involved.
b) Through typical polarization plots explain Tafel extrapolation method for
determination of corrosion current, corrosion potential and exchange current density
(show both anodic and cathodic reactions).
58. From first principles, derive a relationship between cathodic overpotential and limiting
current for diffusion controlled cathodic processes. Make all necessary assumptions.
59. Briefly explain as to how stray currents resulting from a cathodically protected structure
can induce corrosion of an adjacent unprotected water pipeline.
Suggest possible designs and combating methods for prevention of such stray current
corrosion?
61. Define Microbially-Influenced Corrosion (MIC) and illustrate the following aspects.
a) Typical Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) implicated in biocorrosion.
b) Cathode depolarization theory to explain biocorrosion in presence of SRB.
c) Model to understand bacteria biofilm formation on metals.
d) Monitoring, Diagnosis, prevention and control of Microbially-Influenced Corrosion
(MIC).
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62. The EMF of cell made up of zinc and hydrogen electrodes immersed in 0.5M zinc
chloride is +0.650V. What is the pH of the solution?
63. Calculate the EMF of a concentration cell made up of copper electrodes in 0.1 M CuSO4
and 0.5M CuSO4 solutions (separated from each other), neglecting liquid junction
potentials.
64. What is the relationship between corrosion rate expressed in mpy with respect to current
density, atomic weight of metal, equivalent weight and density of metal or alloy?
a) Uniform corrosion current density for a nickel alloy (0.20 % C, 32% Cu, 1.5% Fe
and 0.5% Si) having density of 8.8 was determined to be 25.0 A/cm2. Calculate the
equivalent corrosion rate in mpy?
65. Calculate the pressure of hydrogen required to stop corrosion of iron immersed in 0.5M
FeCl2 at pH 2. What would be the required hydrogen pressure in deaerated water for the
same purpose? (Ksp Fe (OH2) = 1.8 x 10-15). What is the solubility of Fe( OH) 2
precipitate?
66. How long will it take to plate out 6.0 grams of cadmium from its sulphate solution using a
current of 0.30 ampere? What volume of oxygen (in ml) will be liberated? State the
anodic and cathodic reactions.
67. State as to the whether the following statements are right or wrong and clearly bring out
why with pertinent examples and arguments. .
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68. Using appropriate polarization diagrams, determine the effect of the following parameters
on the corrosion potential and corrosion rate of a metal, corroding to form M++ in an acid
solution.
a) Increasing io for the anodic reaction
b) Increasing io for the cathodic reaction.
c) Increasing H+ concentration.
d) Increasing the Tafel constant of the anodic reaction.
71. Calculate the ratio of Sn++ to Fe++ at which the polarity of a Fe Sn couple could reverse
sign. Explain the practical aspects of such a phenomenon.
72. The potential of an iron electrode when polarized as cathode at 0.003 amp/cm2 is -1.2V
(SCE). The pH of the electrolyte is 3.0. What is the hydrogen overvoltage?
73. Will a steel container corrode in contact with a solution of pH 2.5? (Assume Fe++
concentration of 10-4 M as the criterion).
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74. a) With the help of theoretical models, discuss attachment, biofilm formation and
corrosion of steels brought about by Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB). Base your
explanation on cathodic depolarization theory.
b) What are aerobic iron bacteria involved in corrosion of steels? Explain tubercle
formation in steel pipelines with probable mechanisms.
d) What are the major factors and variables contributing to MIC by SRB?
e) Compare mechanisms and relevance of MIC brought about by aerobes and anaerobes.
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