15 Corrosion Engineer Interview

Questions (With Example Answers)

It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job.
Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most
interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you
would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various corrosion engineer interview questions
and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

Common Corrosion Engineer Interview

Questions
• What is corrosion?
• How can corrosion be prevented?
• What are the most common types of corrosion?
• How does corrosion occur?
• What are the consequences of corrosion?
• How does the environment affect corrosion?
• How does temperature affect corrosion?
• How does pH affect corrosion?
• How does stress affect corrosion?
• What are the different methods of corrosion testing?
• What are the most common methods of protecting against corrosion?
• Can corrosion be stopped once it starts?
• What are the most common causes of premature failure due to corrosion?
• How can the service life of a metal be extended through the control of corrosion?
• What are some of the new developments in the field of corrosion prevention?

What is corrosion?
Some possible reasons why an interviewer would ask a corrosion engineer what corrosion is may include
wanting to gauge the engineer's level of knowledge on the topic, to get a better understanding of the
engineer's views on corrosion, or to see how the engineer would explain corrosion to someone who is
not familiar with the concept. It is important to be able to explain corrosion in detail because it can have
a significant impact on the function and lifespan of materials, structures, and infrastructure. A thorough
understanding of corrosion can help engineers design and implement strategies to prevent or mitigate
its effects.

Example: “Corrosion is a natural process that converts a refined metal into a more chemically-stable form,
such as its oxide. left unprotected, metals will slowly corrode. This process can be accelerated by the
presence of oxygen, water, or other electrolytes.”

How can corrosion be prevented?

Corrosion is a major problem for many industries, as it can cause significant damage to equipment and
infrastructure. An interviewer may ask "How can corrosion be prevented?" to a/an Corrosion Engineer to
gain insights into the strategies and methods that can be used to protect against this type of damage.
This is important because it can help companies save money by preventing costly repairs or
replacements.

Example: “There are many ways to prevent corrosion, but the most effective method depends on the type
of metal and the environment it is exposed to. For example, metals can be coated with paint or a protective
layer of oil to prevent them from coming into contact with oxygen and moisture. Metals can also be treated
with chemicals that inhibit the chemical reactions that cause corrosion.”

What are the most common types of corrosion?

Example: “There are many types of corrosion, but the most common are:

1. Uniform Corrosion
2. Galvanic or Two-Metal Corrosion
3. Crevice Corrosion
4. Pitting Corrosion
5. Intergranular Corrosion
6. Stress-Corrosion Cracking”

How does corrosion occur?

One of the main responsibilities of a corrosion engineer is to prevent and control corrosion. Corrosion is
a natural process that can cause extensive damage to metal surfaces. It is important to understand how
corrosion occurs in order to develop effective methods to prevent and control it.

Example: “Corrosion is an electrochemical process that occurs when a metal is exposed to an environment
that is corrosive. This environment can be either natural or man-made. When a metal is exposed to a
corrosive environment, the metal loses electrons and becomes more positive. The loss of electrons causes
the metal to corrode.”

What are the consequences of corrosion?

It is important to know the consequences of corrosion because it can cause a lot of damage to a
structure. Corrosion can cause weakening of the material, which can lead to failure of the structure.

Example: “Corrosion is the deterioration of a material, usually a metal, due to a chemical or

electrochemical reaction with its environment. The most common form of corrosion is rusting, which occurs
when iron or steel is exposed to oxygen and water.

Corrosion can have a number of consequences, depending on the material involved and the severity of the
corrosion. In some cases, corrosion can simply cause cosmetic damage, such as surface discoloration. In
other cases, it can lead to structural damage that weakens the material and makes it more susceptible to
failure. In extreme cases, corrosion can cause complete failure of the material, which can lead to serious
safety hazards.”

How does the environment affect corrosion?

The interviewer is asking how the environment affects corrosion because it is a very important factor in
the field of corrosion engineering. The environment can affect corrosion in many ways, including the
amount of moisture in the air, the temperature, the pH of the water, and the presence of other
chemicals.
Example: “The environment has a significant effect on corrosion. Factors such as temperature, humidity,
and exposure to chemicals can all contribute to the rate of corrosion. In general, warmer temperatures and
higher humidity levels will accelerate corrosion, while cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels will
slow it down. Exposure to certain chemicals can also speed up the corrosion process.”

How does temperature affect corrosion?

There are many types of corrosion, and each is affected by temperature in a different way. For example,
pitting corrosion is more severe at lower temperatures, while intergranular corrosion is more severe at
higher temperatures.

Temperature also affects the rate of corrosion. In general, the higher the temperature, the faster the
corrosion reaction will occur. This is why it's important for corrosion engineers to understand how
temperature affects corrosion, in order to better predict and prevent it.

Example: “Temperature affects corrosion in a few ways. First, high temperatures tend to accelerate the rate
of corrosion. This is because most chemical reactions occur faster at higher temperatures. Second, high
temperatures can cause metals to become more brittle, which can make them more susceptible to
corrosion. Finally, high temperatures can cause metal surfaces to expand, which can create cracks and
crevices that are more likely to corrode.”

How does pH affect corrosion?

PH affects corrosion because it is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. The higher the pH,
the more basic the solution; the lower the pH, the more acidic the solution. A corrosion engineer needs
to know this because it can help determine the best way to protect metal surfaces from corrosion.

Example: “PH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 14,
with 7 being neutral. A pH below 7 is considered acidic, and a pH above 7 is considered basic or alkaline.

Corrosion is an electrochemical process that occurs when a material is exposed to an environment that is
chemically aggressive. The rate of corrosion is affected by many factors, including pH. In general, corrosion
rates are higher in acidic environments than in neutral or alkaline environments.”

How does stress affect corrosion?

There are many reasons why an interviewer might ask "How does stress affect corrosion?" to a Corrosion
Engineer. Here are a few potential reasons:

1. To gauge the engineer's understanding of how stress affects corrosion. This is important because
stress is one of the major factors that can accelerate corrosion.

2. To see if the engineer is aware of the potential consequences of stress-induced corrosion. This is
important because stress-induced corrosion can lead to serious structural problems, including failure.

3. To find out if the engineer has any suggestions for mitigating or preventing stress-induced corrosion.
This is important because stress-induced corrosion can be expensive and difficult to repair.

4. To determine if the engineer is familiar with any case studies or real-world examples of stress-induced
corrosion. This is important because these examples can help to illustrate the seriousness of the issue
and the potential consequences of ignoring it.
Example: “The relationship between stress and corrosion is complex and not fully understood. However, it
is generally accepted that stress can accelerate corrosion in some cases, while in other cases it can inhibit
corrosion. The type of stress (tensile, compressive, or shear) and the material involved (metal, alloy, or
composite) are important factors that must be considered when evaluating the potential for stress-
accelerated corrosion.”

What are the different methods of corrosion testing?

There are many methods of corrosion testing, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The
most common methods are electrochemical, gravimetric, and optical. Electrochemical methods are the
most accurate but require expensive equipment. Gravimetric methods are less accurate but can be used
with less expensive equipment. Optical methods are the least accurate but can be used with any type of
equipment.

Example: “There are many methods of corrosion testing, but the most common are electrochemical
testing, metallographic examination, and visual inspection.”

What are the most common methods of protecting

against corrosion?
There are many types of corrosion, and each type has its own prevention methods. The interviewer
wants to know if the candidate is familiar with the different methods of corrosion prevention and if they
can select the most appropriate method for a given situation. This is important because the wrong
method of corrosion prevention can actually accelerate the corrosion process, leading to expensive
repairs or even complete failure of the structure.

Example: “There are a number of ways to protect against corrosion, and the most common methods
include:

- using corrosion-resistant materials

- applying coatings or sealants to exposed surfaces
- increasing the durability of exposed surfaces
- using corrosion inhibitors”

Can corrosion be stopped once it starts?

Corrosion is a process that can cause damage to metals and other materials. It is important to be able to
stop corrosion once it starts in order to prevent further damage.

Example: “Corrosion is an electrochemical process that occurs when metals are exposed to oxygen and
water. This reaction produces a thin layer of oxide on the metal surface that protects it from further
corrosion. However, once corrosion starts, it can not be stopped.”

What are the most common causes of premature

failure due to corrosion?
There are many different types of corrosion, and each has its own unique set of causes. The most
common causes of premature failure due to corrosion include:
• Environmental factors: Corrosion is accelerated by exposure to certain environmental conditions, such
as salt water, humidity, and pollutants.

• Metallurgical factors: The composition of the metal can also affect its susceptibility to corrosion. For
example, metals with a high carbon content are more prone to rusting than those with a low carbon
content.

• Design factors: Poorly designed or improperly installed metal components are more likely to fail
prematurely due to corrosion.

Why is it important?

Corrosion is a major problem in many industries, and it can cause significant economic losses. It is
important for corrosion engineers to understand the most common causes of premature failure due to
corrosion so that they can develop effective prevention and mitigation strategies.

Example: “There are many causes of premature failure due to corrosion. The most common are:

1. Improper or inadequate design

2. Poor quality materials or workmanship
3. Inadequate or improper maintenance
4. Environmental factors such as excessive moisture or humidity, salt air, etc.”

How can the service life of a metal be extended

through the control of corrosion?
An interviewer would ask "How can the service life of a metal be extended through the control of
corrosion?" to a/an Corrosion Engineer in order to gauge the Engineer's understanding of how corrosion
affects metal and how it can be controlled. This is important because corrosion is a major factor in the
deterioration of metal, and understanding how to control it can help extend the service life of metal
products.

Example: “There are many ways to extend the service life of a metal through the control of corrosion.
Some common methods include:

1. Applying a coating: Coating a metal with a material that is resistant to corrosion can help to protect it
from the environment and extend its service life.

2. Using corrosion-resistant materials: Choosing materials that are naturally resistant to corrosion can help
to prevent the need for coatings or other protection methods.

3. Controlling the environment: By controlling the environment in which a metal is used, it is possible to
reduce the amount of corrosion that occurs. This may include using protective enclosures, keeping the
metal clean and dry, and avoiding exposure to corrosive substances.

4. Monitoring and inspection: Regular monitoring and inspection of metals can help to identify corrosion
problems early, before they cause significant damage. This allows for corrective action to be taken before
the metal is irreparably damaged.”

What are some of the new developments in the field of

corrosion prevention?
There are many reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to a corrosion engineer. Some of the
reasons include:

1. To gauge the engineer's knowledge of the latest developments in the field of corrosion prevention. It
is important for the interviewer to know if the engineer is up-to-date on the latest advancements in the
field in order to gauge whether or not they would be a good fit for the company.

2. To assess the engineer's ability to think critically about the field of corrosion prevention. The
interviewer wants to know if the engineer is able to think critically about the latest developments in the
field and how they might impact the company's operations.

3. To determine the engineer's potential value to the company. The interviewer wants to know if the
engineer has the potential to be a valuable asset to the company by providing insights on the latest
developments in the field of corrosion prevention.

Example: “Some of the new developments in the field of corrosion prevention include:

- The use of nanotechnology to create coatings that are more resistant to corrosion
- The use of biocides to control microbial activity that can contribute to corrosion
- The development of new methods for cathodic protection
- The use of smart coatings that can self-repair when damaged