Steel And Brass Essay

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Steel Screws in Brass marine Hardware
When two dissimilar metals (e.g. Steel and Brass) are physically connected and exposed to an electrolyte, the metal higher in Electrochemical undergoes corrosion .This type of corrosion, is called “Bimetallic or Galvanic Corrosion.”
Symptoms of Bimetallic Corrosions
 The first sign of galvanic corrosion is paint blistering (starting on sharp edges) below the water line—a white powdery substance forms on the exposed metal areas.
 As the corrosion continues, the exposed metal areas will become deeply pitted, as the metal is actually eaten away.
 Typical signs of corrosion on marine lower drive units and propellers include blistering paint and the formation of a white powdery substance on the exposed metal …show more content…

The difference can be measured as a difference in voltage potential.
 According to the Electrochemical series, Steel is more anodic than Brass. Hence, Steel undergoes galvanic corrosion.
 Although, marine water comprises of numerous salts and minerals, the resulting water has a pH of 8.08 to 8.33 (sciencedirect.com) making it overall alkaline. For alkaline solutions, oxygen absorption occurs.
MECHANISM:
Absorption of oxygen:
Rusting of iron in neutral aqueous solution of electrolytes (like NaCl solution) in the presence of oxygen is a common example of this type of corrosion.
At the Anode
1. Electrons flow from the anode, the metal that is more chemically active (Steel screws), to the cathode, the metal that is less chemically active (Brass hardware).
Fe(s) ⟶Fe(aq)2++2e-
2. When this happens, the more chemically active metal atoms become ions (an atom with one or more electrons either missing or added) and break away into the water, where they can bond to oxygen ions, with which they can share electrons and produce their oxides. This is the same process iron ions go through when combining with oxygen ions in water to form iron …show more content…

The newly formed ferric oxide molecules either drift away in the water or settle on the surface of the aluminium. The lower unit is literally dissolving through galvanic corrosion.
At the Cathode
1. Electrons are accepted from the anode; however, they cannot simply accumulate, they react with ions in the electrolyte.
1/2O2+H2O+2e-⟶2OH-
2. The resulting hydroxide ion is alkaline, and makes the electrolyte alkaline in the area of the cathode. If the alkalinity present in the water becomes excessive, it can corrode the cathode as well.
From the anode and the cathode
The Fe2+ ions (at the anode) and OH- ions (at the cathode) diffuse and form ferrous hydroxide.
Fe(aq)2++2OH-⟶Fe(OH)2↓
If enough oxygen is present, ferrous hydroxide gets easily oxidized to ferric hydroxide
4Fe(OH)2+O2+2H2O⟶4Fe(OH)3
This product is called Yellow Rust, which corresponds to Fe2O3.H2O. If the supply of oxygen is limited, the corrosion product may be black anhydrous magnetite (Fe3O4).
It may be noted that the reaction occurs near the cathode as the smaller Fe2+ diffuse more rapidly than the larger OH-. So, the corrosion occurs at the anode, but the rust is deposited at the

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