DHAKA UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

DUET, GAZIPUR-1707
Department of Chemical Engineering

Course Code: ChE 4752

Course Name: Corrosion Science and Engineering Sessional

Experiment No: 01
Experiment name: Study of Electrolytic Corrosion

Date of Experiment: 28-10-24 Date of Submission: 12-11-24

Submitted By Submitted To

Name: Md. Abdur Rahim Mr. Md. Jahirul Islam

Student Id No: 208010 Assistant Professor, Department of ChE
Dept: Chemical Engineering DUET, Gazipur-1707
Year/Semester: 4th/1st .
Session: 2020-2021

Allocated Mark Obtained Mark Signature

Experiment no: 01
Experiment Name: Study of Electrolytic Corrosion

Objectives:
• Understanding corrosion mechanisms, Corrosion tests help establish how corrosion
occurs.
• Defining corrosion resistance, Corrosion tests help define how resistant materials are
to corrosion, and how to create new alloys that are more resistant to corrosion.
• Evaluating corrosion performance, Electrochemical tests can be used to evaluate how
well materials perform in the face of corrosion.

Theory:
Electrolytic corrosion is a process of accelerated corrosion. In this process, a metallic surface
is continuously corroded by other metal it is in contact with, due to an electrolyte and the flow
of an electrical current between the two metals, caused from an external source of electromotive
force (EMF)
Anodic and cathodic reactions: These are two opposing electrochemical reactions that
determine the rate of corrosion. In anodic reactions, metal is oxidized and releases electrons,
while in cathodic reactions, a solution species is reduced and removes electrons from the metal.
Corrosion mechanisms: Corrosion can occur between two different metal pieces or at two
different spots on the same metal surface

Equipment:

1. Metal and Copper path

2. 0.1 M (HCl) solution
3. Power source
4. Connecting wires
5. Beaker and Sandpaper
6. pH meter
7. Distilled water
8. Corrosion studies kit
9. Corrosion study unit
Experimental Procedure:

1. The metal samples were thoroughly cleaned using sandpaper to remove any oxide layer
and to ensure a good contact surface, and the samples were rinsed with distilled water
and dried completely.
2. Fill a beaker with a salt water solution. The concentration of HCl in water can vary. I
recorded the initial pH of the solution to monitor pH changes over time.
3. Then connect the metal sample to the positive terminal of the DC power source (anode)
and the other to the negative terminal (cathode). I used to connect wires and alligator
clips to secure the connection. Place both metal samples in the electrolyte solution,
making sure they do not touch each other.
4. Turn on the power source to start the electrolysis process
5. No ammeters or voltmeters are used here, electricity of fixed quality, supplied from the
source is done correctly.
6. We allowed 48 hours to run the test for a period of time, after which time we made a
visual note of the decay.

Experiment Setup:

Figure 1: Galvanic Cell

 Figure 2: Electrochemical Corrosion

Observation Data Table:

Sample Initial weight (mg) Final weight (mg)

Fe1 8.089 8.056
Fe2 8.308 8.274
Cu1 8.271 8.264
Cu2 8.604 8.596

Calculations:

Amount of weight loss of Fe Amount of weight loss of Cu

Fe1 = (8.089-8.056) Cu1 = (8.271-8.264)

= 0.033 = 0.007

Fe2 = (8.308-8.274) Cu2 = (8.604-8.596)

= 0.034 = 0.008

Result:
Weight loss, Fe1 = 0.033, Fe2 = 0.034, Cu1 = 0.007, Cu2 = 0.008
Discussion:
This study has practical implications for various industries. For example, insulating joints in
pipelines, applying protective coatings, and using sacrificial anodes can help control
electrolytic corrosion. Cathodic protection systems, where a more anodic metal (sacrificial
anode) is intentionally introduced, align with our findings, as these systems exploit the
principles of electrolytic corrosion to protect vital metal structures. The experiment
demonstrates that electrolytic corrosion is a complex process influenced by various factors,
including metal type, electrolyte concentration, and electric potential. Understanding these
factors helps in developing effective corrosion prevention strategies, which are essential for
extending the lifespan of metal structures in corrosive environments. The type of corrosion
observed was mostly uniform, though we noted areas of localized corrosion where electrolyte
concentration was higher, suggesting factors such as aeration, pH variations, or impurities can
affect the uniformity. Localized corrosion can lead to structural weaknesses, emphasizing the
need for regular inspection and maintenance in environments prone to electrolytic corrosion.

Conclusion:
we observe that electrolytic corrosion is primarily caused by the flow of electric current through
an electrolyte, which leads to the oxidation of metals. This process often occurs in
environments where metals are exposed to conductive fluids, such as seawater or moist soil,
and in systems where metals with differing electrode potentials are in contact, creating a
galvanic cell. Electrolytic corrosion is influenced by factors such as electrode potential
differences, electrolyte concentration, and external electric fields. Mitigating this type of
corrosion requires careful selection of compatible materials, the use of protective coatings, and
isolation techniques to prevent unwanted current flow.