Degradation of Materials

Materials Technology
Degradation of Materials
Overview - Degradation of Materials
OPTION
The student will learn about…
The effect of environmental conditions on the
mechanical and physical properties of materials
The student will be able to…

• Describe the conditions that cause the physical,
chemical and biological degradation of materials.
• Describe how materials degrade in certain
conditions and how materials are altered by
degradation.
Definition
Corrosion
Definitionis the deterioration of a material
as a result of a reaction with its
environment, especially with oxygen
(oxidation).
Although the term is usually applied to
metals, all materials, including wood,
ceramics (in extreme conditions) and
plastics, deteriorate at the surface to varying
degrees when they are exposed to certain
combinations of sunshine (UV light), liquids,
gases or contact with other solids.
Finishing of Materials
Wood
The environmental factors that affect
degradation in wood are;
• Biological organisms – fungi and insects
• Risk of wetting or permanent contact with
water
Wood is susceptible to attack when the

moisture content exceeds 20%
Dry Rot Furniture Beetle
(Woodworm)
Physical and Mechanical effects of degradation in
wood
• Change in cross-sectional dimensions, swelling

and shrinkage
• Strength and stiffness decrease as moisture
content increases
• Durability is affected
• Coatings can be compromised
Plastics
• It is widely accepted that plastics do not corrode
however micro organisms which can decompose low
density polyethylene do exist
Plastics
• Elastomers can cause other plastics to corrode or melt
due to prolonged contact e.g. rubber left on a setsquare
Plastics
• UV light will weaken certain plastics and produce a
chalky faded appearance on the exposed surface
Plastics
• Heat will weaken or melt certain plastics even at
relatively low temperatures
Plastics
• Cold can cause some plastics to become brittle and
fracture under pressure
Plastics
• Mould can grow on plastics in moist humid conditions
Plastics
• Bio-degradation – the chemical breakdown in the body of
synthetic solid phase polymers
Metals
• Most metals corrode because they react with oxygen in
the atmosphere, particularly under moist conditions –
this is called oxidation
Metals
• Ferrous metals such as steel are particularly susceptible
to oxidation and require ongoing maintenance or they will
suffer inevitable structural failure
• Choice of metal, environmental location and design

features must all be
considered carefully
Metals
• Some non-ferrous metals are particularly resistant to
corrosion, e.g. Copper and Zinc
Copper Cladding Zinc Cladding

• They form strong oxides on their surfaces (as do aluminium
and lead) and these protect the metal from further oxidation.
Shown as cladding on the buildings above
Metals
• Most corrosion of ferrous metals occur by electro-
chemical reaction. This is also known as wet corrosion
Electro-chemical corrosion can occur when;

• Two different metals are involved
• There is an electrolyte present
• Metals are separated on the Galvanic Table (potential
difference exists)
• The metals are in contact
Metals
• When two dissimilar metals are placed in a jar of
electrolyte (sea water), an electric current is produced
Metals
• When two dissimilar metals are placed in a jar of
electrolyte (sea water), an electric current is produced
• In actual two metal situations,

designers must be aware of the
Galvanic Series. The potential
difference between the two
metals determines which metal
will corrode
• In the environment, rainwater will also act as an
electrolyte. One of the metals will be eaten away (the
anode) if it is higher up on the Galvanic Table
Metals
Galvanic Table
Magnesium
Zinc
Cadmium
Aluminium For any combination of
Lead dissimilar metals the
metal which is higher on
Steel
the table will act as an
Chromium anode and corrode
preferentially
Tungsten
Brass
Bronze
Copper
Silver
Metals
Protection and Finishing
There are various protection and finishing treatments

applied to metals, they include;
• Sacrificial protection
• Design features
• Anodising of aluminium
• Protective coating e.g. paint, plastic, metal
• Electro plating
Metals
Sacrificial (cathodic) Protection
• This is where one metal is deliberately sacrificed to
protect another
Sea water attacks bronze propellers. A slab of magnesium,

aluminium or zinc is attached to the wooden hull near the propeller.
This becomes the anode and corrodes while the expensive propeller
(cathode) is protected. The anode must be replaced regularly.
Metals
Design Features
• Avoid, or provide extra
protection for, stressed parts,
elbows, folds and bends, etc
• Avoid crevices or sumps
that retain moisture
• Reduce Galvanic effect
by careful selection of metals
or by design detailing
• Select an appropriate alloy
Metals
Anodising of Aluminium
• An electrolytic process that increases the thickness of

aluminium's naturally occurring protective oxide film
• Organic acid electrolytes will produce harder films and
can incorporate dyes to give the coating an attractive
colour
Metals
Protective Coating - Paint
• Paint is widely used particularly to protect steel. It is not
effective over time and under certain conditions and
must be renewed regularly – often at considerable
expense
• The more effective paints contain lead,

zinc or aluminium in
suspension
• Part of the protection they provide is
sacrificial
Golden Gate Bridge

Metals
Protective Coating - Plastic
A variety of plastic coatings exist, they include;
• Brush on coating
• Electrostatic spraying
• Hot dipping in fluidised tank
Metals
Protective Coating - Metal
Metal coatings give the best protection – they include;
• Hot dipping
• Powder cementation
• Metal spraying
• Metal cladding
• Electro-plating
Metals
Protective Coating – Electro-plating
• Uses the chemical effect of an electric current to provide
a decorative and/or protective metal coating to another
metal object
Metals
The Effect of Corrosion on Mechanical &
Physical Properties
• Reduction of metal thickness leading to loss of strength
or complete structural failure
• Localised corrosion leading to “crack” like structure.
Produces a disproportionate weakening in comparison to
the amount of metal lost
• Fatalities and injuries from structural failure, e.g. bridges,
buildings, or aircraft
• Damage to valves or pumps due to solid corrosion
products
Metals
Environmental Considerations
• Contamination of fluids/foodstuffs in pipes and

containers
• Leakage of potentially harmful pollutants and toxins into
the environment
• Increased production/design and ongoing maintenance
costs. This results in greater use of scarce resources
and the release of harmful CO² gasses into the
environment

Degradation of Materials

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Degradation of Materials

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Degradation of Materials

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

How do environmental conditions affect the degradation of different materials?

What are some common causes of corrosion in metals?

Materials Technology

The student will be able to…

Wood is susceptible to attack when the

• Change in cross-sectional dimensions, swelling

• Choice of metal, environmental location and design

Copper Cladding Zinc Cladding

Electro-chemical corrosion can occur when;

• In actual two metal situations,

There are various protection and finishing treatments

Sea water attacks bronze propellers. A slab of magnesium,

• An electrolytic process that increases the thickness of

• The more effective paints contain lead,

Golden Gate Bridge

A variety of plastic coatings exist, they include;

Metal coatings give the best protection – they include;

• Contamination of fluids/foodstuffs in pipes and

You might also like