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Chemistry · Glossary

What is Uniform corrosion?

Also known as: corrosion potential · corrosion current

Definition 12.1 University Chemistry — Year 2 · Chapter 12 — Corrosion and Protection

Uniform corrosion is the corrosion of a metal whose oxidation and the reduction of the oxidant take place at sites spread evenly over its surface. The corrosion potential is the mixed potential the metal then takes, and the corrosion current the anodic current of the metal’s oxidation at that potential.

The Evans diagram of iron in aerated neutral water (model curves). The cathodic curve of dioxygen is drawn also reflected upwards (dashed): the corrosion potential is where it meets the anodic curve of iron. As the reduction of dioxygen has reached its diffusion plateau there, the corrosion current equals the limiting current of oxygen: stirring or aerating the water makes iron corrode faster.
The Evans diagram of iron in aerated neutral water (model curves). The cathodic curve of dioxygen is drawn also reflected upwards (dashed): the corrosion potential is where it meets the anodic curve of iron. As the reduction of dioxygen has reached its diffusion plateau there, the corrosion current equals the limiting current of oxygen: stirring or aerating the water makes iron corrode faster.
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