Corrosion is a natural phenomenon where the deterioration of a material is caused by environmental interactions. Corrosion can have a negative effect on metal and cause structures to become unsafe leading to collapses and accidents. Corrosion could be prevented using certain protection methods, though, and we’re here to discuss those methods.

Firstly, knowing the material you’re working with is imperative to choosing the correct preventative methods. You can use protective coatings such as paint as a cost-effective way of preventing corrosion. These can act as a barrier to prevent the transfer of electrochemical charge from the corrosive solution into the metal below. You can also powder coat by applying a dry powder to a clean metal surface. The metal is then heated, fusing the powder into an unbroken film. Different powder compositions can be used for this method.
Taking measures to control the environment can minimize the chemical reactions between the metal and the gases. Reducing exposure to rain or seawater can help this effect.

Coating metal with an additional metal type that is more likely to oxidize is a process called sacrificial coating. This is another form of protection and can be done in two ways: cathodic protection and anodic protection.

An example of cathodic protection is the coating of an iron alloy steel with zinc which is known as galvanizing. Anodic protection involves coating the iron alloy steel with a less active metal such as tin. Tin doesn’t corrode, so your steel will be protected with a tin coating in place.
Learning what materials you’re working with helps tremendously in deciding what type of protection you should use. There are multiple options, beyond the basics discussed here, and you need to know what the factors are that would promote corrosion in your materials to make the best decisions. Whatever you’re working with and whatever methods you use, learning how to properly protect your materials is a great way to make even backyard projects last the tests of time.

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