Corrosion is the deterioration of a material caused by chemical or electrochemical interaction with its environment. In engineering, corrosion can lead to material loss, cracking, leakage, reduced component strength and eventually failure.
This RoyMech corrosion engineering guide brings together reference information on corrosion mechanisms, galvanic corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, protective coatings, corrosion in piping systems and corrosion-resistant material selection.
For students and engineers new to the subject, start with Corrosion Process to understand how corrosion occurs. For a specific design problem, select the relevant engineering topic below.
Use these guides to understand common corrosion mechanisms, identify potential corrosion problems and investigate methods of prevention and material selection.
Learn how electrochemical corrosion occurs and how moisture, oxygen, environmental conditions and material properties influence the corrosion of engineering metals.
Corrosion ProcessUnderstand what happens when dissimilar metals are electrically connected in the presence of an electrolyte, and use galvanic-series information to assess potentially incompatible metal combinations.
Galvanic CorrosionLearn how tensile stress combined with a specific corrosive environment can cause cracking and unexpected failure, even where general corrosion appears relatively low.
Stress CorrosionCompare methods used to protect engineering materials from corrosive environments, including paints, metallic coatings, plastics, ceramics, galvanising and anodising.
Surface CoatingsReview corrosion problems affecting piping systems and the influence of materials, fluids, flow conditions, design, coatings, inhibitors and cathodic protection.
Piping CorrosionCompare corrosion-resistant metals and non-metallic materials and access RoyMech chemical-resistance tables for preliminary material selection in corrosive environments.
Corrosion Resistant MaterialsSelecting a material for contact with chemicals or process fluids requires more than simply choosing a material described as corrosion resistant. Different metals, plastics and elastomers can behave very differently when exposed to the same chemical.
The RoyMech chemical resistance tables can be used as preliminary engineering guides to compare materials against a wide range of chemicals and fluids. Select the material group you want to investigate:
Compare the chemical resistance of carbon steel, cast iron, brass, copper, bronze, aluminium and titanium.
Metal Chemical ResistanceCompare ABS, Acetal, PVC, PVDF, Nylon, PTFE and Polycarbonate against common chemicals and process fluids.
Plastic Chemical ResistanceCompare chemical compatibility data for natural rubber, Neoprene, Buna N, EPDM, silicone and other elastomer materials.
Elastomer Chemical ResistanceCompare the resistance of glass and carbon graphite when exposed to acids, alkalis, solvents and other chemicals.
Glass & Carbon Chemical ResistanceCompare the corrosion resistance of 304, 321, 347, 316 and 316L stainless steels with nickel, Monel, Inconel and Hastelloy C across a wide range of chemicals and operating temperatures.
Stainless Steel & Nickel Alloy Table