RIZALTECHNOLOGICALUNIVERSITY

Cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig

Activity 2: Metals and Corrosion

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the activity, you will be able to:

1. Observe oxidation- reduction reactions in commonly used materials.
2. Investigate the effect of environmental conditions to corrosion of metals.
3. Perform simple metal corrosion experiment using common household materials.

Introductory Discussion

Corrosion is the deterioration of a metal as a result of chemical reactions between it and

the surrounding environment. Both the type of metal and the environmental conditions,
particularly gasses that are in contact with the metal, determine the form and rate of deterioration.

There are many different reasons for metal corrosion. Some can be avoided by adding
alloys to a pure metal. Others can be prevented by a careful combination of metals or
management of the metal's environment. Some of the most common types of corrosion are
described below.

General Attack Corrosion: This very common form of corrosion attacks the entire
surface of a metal structure. It is caused by chemical or electro-chemical reactions. While
general attack corrosion can cause a metal to fail, it is also a known and predictable issue.
As a result, it is possible to plan for and manage general attack corrosion.

Localized Corrosion: This corrosion attacks only portions of a metal structure. There
are three types of localized corrosion:
⚫ Pitting -- the creation of small holes in the surface of a metal.
⚫ Crevice corrosion -- cottrrosion that occurs in stagnant locations
such as those found under gaskets.
⚫ Filiform corrosion -- corrosion that occurs when water gets
under acoating such as paint.

Galvanic Corrosion: This can occur when two different metals are located together in a
liquid electrolyte such as salt water. In essence, one metal's molecules are drawn toward
the other metal, leading to corrosion in only one of the two metals.

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Environmental Cracking: When environmental conditions are stressful enough, some

metal can begin to crack, fatigue, or become brittle and weakened.

Rusting of metals is a special case of metal oxidation. Iron will oxidize to form rust. Water
will cause metals to rust; this reaction can be accelerated by adding salts. In the corrosion process,
metals get oxidized. For example in mild steel (which is greater than 99% iron) the metal corrodes
according to the following:

Fe → Fe2+ + 2e- (the removal of e-)

These electrons are consumed by reacting with another substance (usually oxygen but it can be
H+ in acids) in reduction as in

O2 + 4e = 2H2O → 4OH- ( the gaining of e-)

In an acid solution, the reduction is 2H+ + 2e- →H2

These equations indicate that in order for metals to corrode (rust), two reactions occur; an
oxidation that converts metal to metal ions and electrons and a second reaction which consumes
those electrons by converting oxygen and water to hydroxide ions. In order for these reactions to
occur, the electrons must be transported from the place where the metal dissolves to the place
where the oxygen is consumed and an ionic current must also flow between the sites to complete
the circuit. This ionic current flow more easily through water containing electrolytes (i.e., NaCl).
This accounts for the rapid rusting of unprotected steel in a salty environment.

Exploration/ Activity Proper

A. Materials

 5 clear plastic bottles with cover (empty mineral water containers will do)
 10 metal nails (avoid galvanized ones, use identical nails)
 Water (room temperature)
 Saltwater
 Cooking Oil
 Vinegar
 Gloves/ tongs

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B. Activity Procedure

1. Begin by preparing the materials and taking a picture.(Attach the pictures in your activity
sheet).

2. For the salt water, mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 250 mL (approx) tap water.

3. For the empty plastic bottles, make sure to peal off labels (if any) to avoid obstruction of your
eye sight during observation period.

4. Label each bottle accordingly.

5. Fill the empty bottles with water, saltwater, oil and vinegar (one bottle= equals one material).
Fill the bottles half-way only. The fifth bottle will only contain air (see sample setup below).

6. Put two nails inside each bottle. Make sure that the nails are fully submerged in the liquid.

7. If possible, place the setup in an undisturbed space inside the house.

8. Observe the setup for at least four days, taking observation notes and pictures every after 24
hours. You may open the bottle from time to time, however, take precautions as it may have
unpleasant smell.

9. Record your observations in the succeeding table.

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Table 1. General Observations

Time Interval General Description of Observed changes Picture of setup
Day 0 -
Day 1 On the first day of the observation, the nails
(after 24 hours) showed no signs of rusting in saltwater & air, oil &
air, vinegar & air, water & air, and air only.
Day 2 On the second day, the nails started to rust in water
(after 48 hours) & air but showed no signs of rusting in saltwater &
air, vinegar & air, oil & air, and air only.
Day 3 On the third day of the observation, the nails on
(after 72 hours) water & air still keeps on rusting. The nails on
vinegar & air started to rust a little. Meanwhile, the
rest of the nails did not rust in oil & air, saltwater
and air, and air only.
Day 4 On the last day of the observation, the nails that
(after 96 hours) showed rusting the most is the one soaked in water
& air. The nails in vinegar & air showed small
signs of rusting. There were no signs of rusting in
saltwater & air, oil & air, and air only.
( /10)

10. After the 96th hour, remove the nails from the bottle and take pictures of the product (observe
proper labeling. Be careful in removing the nails. Use gloves, tongs or any protective equipment/
material for your hands.

11. Discard used materials properly.

C. Observation, Analysis & Discussions:

1. Based on your table of observations, which setup showed rusting first? Which setup showed
rusting last? ( /3)

The nails that showed rusting first are those submerged in water & air. The one that showed rusting last are
the nails submerged in vinegar
& air. The rest showed no signs of rusting.

2. At the end of the activity, which nails rusted the most?( /3)
The nails that rusted the most are the nails in the water & air from the 2nd day till the last day of the
observation.

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3. Based on your answer in number one and two, which of the setups exhibited the fastest
rusting rate? Explain why. ( /5)

The nails placed in the water & air bottle exhibited the fastest rusting rate. Metal rusts when it
comes into contact with humid air or oxygen. In addition, the nails that we have were submerged in
the liquid where in it reacted with the oxygen of H2O thus forming iron oxide

4. During corrosion, is iron oxidized or reduced? Explain the phenomena using the
concept of oxidation- reduction reactions. (__/5)

During corrosion, iron is oxidized. Iron gets oxidized when iron comes into contact with oxygen. Oxidation –
reduction reaction is a chemical reaction where the numbers of ion, molecule, or atom starts losing or gaining
electron. The iron submerged in the water was oxidized due to the chemical formula of water (H2O) where in
iron reacted with the oxygen of the liquid thus forming iron oxide or causing the corrosion.

5. How can corrosion of metals be prevented? Give at least 2 remedies. ( / 5)

Powders such as epoxy, nylon, and urethane form a thin film on the metal surface. You can also make use of
barrier coatings.

Attachments (Screen shots): (__/5)

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Picture of Setup
SALTWATER & AIR

OIL & AIR

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VINEGAR & AIR

AIR ONLY

WATER & AIR

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References

⚫ Allen, C and Timpanelli, N.“Rusting of Metals” developed Dr.

Craig Alen aavailable from https://corrosion-
doctors.org/Training/HighSchool- rusting.htm
⚫ Bell, T (2019). “What is
Corrosion” available from
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-corrosion-2339700
⚫ Kotz, Treichel and Townsend (2019). Chemistry and Chemical
Reactivity (8th ed). Cengage Learning
⚫ Stoebe, T. (2007). “Metal Corrosion” available from
http://materialseducation.org/educators/matedumodules/docs/Metal_Corr
osion.pdf

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