DHAKA UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY.

DUET, Gazipur-1707
Department of Chemical Engineering.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Course Code: ChE-4752

Course Name: Corrosion Science & Engineering Sessional.

Experiment No:02
Experiment Name: Study of the influence of pH on Corrosion.

Date of Allocation: 25/07/2023 Date of Submission: 07/08/2023

Submitted By, Submitted To,

Name: MD.Arifuzzaman. Dr. Mahbuba Jannat

Student ID: 198004 Assistant Professor,
Year:4th Department of ChE.
Semester:1st Md. Jahirul Islam
Session:2022-2023 Lecturer,
Department of ChE.
DUET, Gazipur-1707.

…….……………………
Signature.
Experiment No: 02
Experiment Name: Study of the influence of PH on corrosion.
1.0Objectives:
❖ T show that difference in PH Can greatly affect the rates of corrosion.
❖ The aim of a corrosion study is to solve a particular corrosion problem.

2.0 Introduction:
Electrolytic corrosion, also known as galvanic corrosion or dissimilar metal corrosion, is a type
of corrosion that occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact with each other in the presence
of an electrolyte such as water or moisture. In this scenario, an electrochemical reaction takes place
between the metals, leading to the deterioration of one or both metals over time.
Formation of an electrolytic cell: When two different metals are in contact, they create an
electrolytic cell with an anode and a cathode. The more active metal (anode) will experience
corrosion, while the less active metal (cathode) remains relatively unaffected.
Anode reaction: At the anode, the metal undergoes oxidation and releases metal ions into the
electrolyte. These metal ions dissolve into the surrounding medium.
Cathode reaction: At the cathode, reduction reactions may occur, depending on the environment
and materials involved. For example, oxygen reduction in the presence of water can lead to the
formation of hydroxide ions.

2.1 Theory:
Corrosion can be defined as the deterioration of metals by spontaneous electrochemical reactions
between the metal and its environment. Conversion of the metal into its salts can lead to a loss of
structural integrity. Corrosion can be increased by externally applied voltages which add to the
naturally developed potential differences due to the positions of the metals in the electromotive
series.
Iron and Steel corrode in acid environments but very little corrosion in Alkaline situations. This
behavior can be explained by reference to the electromotive series in which elements are arranged
in order of the decreasing negative electrode potential when the elements is immersed in an acid
solution. Metals such as iron above hydrogen (more electrode negative) will displace it from
solution and hence corrode metals below hydrogen will not. An increase in the hydrogen ion
concentration (more acid) will tend to move hydrogen down the series and hence increase the
voltage in the metal H+ ion system which will lead to higher corrosion rates.
3.0 Required Materials and Apparatus:
➢ Iron (steel) and copper electrodes.
➢ 0.1 M HCl and 0.1 M NaOH.
➢ Distilled water
➢ Fumed hood.
➢ Micro-pipette.
➢ Beaker.
➢ Balance Machine.
➢ Digital pH meter.
➢ Corrosion testing kit.

3.1 Experimental Set-up:

Figure-01: During experimental set- up section.

4.0Working Procedure:
➢ First of all, we are made up sufficient test solution to fill the vessel. The solution contains
0.1M HCL for 600 ml.
➢ The test solution is made of pH 2, 4, 10, 12 and those solution is produced by adding either
dilute hydrochloric acid.
➢ Then weighted to sample of steel and copper.
➢ After that, we connected the electrodes in the corrosion testing kit, oxygen supply in other
one and waited 2 days for electrolytic corrosion.
➢ Finally, measured the final weight of steel and copper then calculated the difference
➢ between the initial and final weight, that is the amount of corrosion.

5.0 Observed Data:

Group pH range Electrode Alloy Initial (gm) Final(gm)
No.
Anode(steel) 8.309 8.193
01 2 Cathode (Copper) 8.418 8.421
Anode(steel) 8.421 8.403
02 4 Cathode (Copper) 8.658 8.667
Anode(steel) 8.378 8.368
03 10 Cathode (Copper) 8.328 8.330
Anode(steel) 8.255 8.252
04 12 Cathode (Copper) 8.778 8.780

5.1 Calculated data Table:

Group pH Electrode Alloy Initial (gm) Final(gm) Result(gm) Corrosion
No. range Rate
(gm/day)
Anode(steel) 8.309 8.193 0.116 0.058
01 2 Cathode (Copper) 8.418 8.421 0.003
Anode(steel) 8.421 8.403 0.018 0.009
02 4 Cathode (Copper) 8.658 8.667 0.009
Anode(steel) 8.378 8.368 0.01 0.005
03 10 Cathode (Copper) 8.328 8.330 0.002
Anode(steel) 8.255 8.252 0.003 0.0015
04 12 Cathode (Copper) 8.778 8.780 0.002
6.0 Calculation:
Group-01
Initial Weight = 8.309 g
Final Weight = 8.193 g
Time = 2 day
Amount of weight loss of steel = (8.309 – 8.193) = 0. 116 g
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠
We have, Corrosion rate steel = (g/day)
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

0.116
= = 0.058 g/day
2

Therefore, the calculation of group -2,3 and 4 are same way.

7.0 Graph:

pH Rate Corrosion rate Vs pH

0.07

12 0.0015 0.06

0.05
Corrosion rate

10 0.005
0.04

4 0.009 0.03

0.02
2 0.058
0.01

0
0 2 4 6 pH 8 10 12 14

Figure-02: Corrosion rate Vs pH curve.

8.0 Results and Discussion:
The result of this experiment is observed that steel and copper electrodes are displayed unique
corrosion characteristics in the various pH solution such that 2,4,10 and 12. In HCl solution of pH
2, corrosion rate 0.058 g/day and the weight loss of steel 0.116g, and in NaOH, solution of 12,
corrosion rate 0.015, and weight loss 0.0005g/day.
The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of pH level on corrosion of steel electrode.
In my hypothesis, I thought that as the pH level of the solution in which steel will be kept will
decrease the corrosion of the steel electrode.
During my reading, I saw that acidity helps increase corrosion while alkalinity reduces corrosion.
Corrosion is a general term used to describe various interactions between a material and its
environment leading to a degradation in the material properties..
Alkalinity is a measure of how easily the pH of the water can be changed, so it can be considered
to be a mitigating influence with regards to pH. Water with a high alkalinity is more likely to be
scale-forming even at a relatively low pH. In contrast, low alkalinity waters lack the buffering
capacity to deal with acids, so they can easily become acidic and corrosive.
Low pH acid waters clearly accelerate corrosion by providing a plentiful supply of hydrogen ions.
Although even absolutely pure water contains some free hydrogen ions, free carbon dioxide in the
water can multiply the hydrogen ion concentration many times.

9.0 Conclusion:
In each solution, the corrosion rate decreased and the passivation capability strengthened with
increasing pH value. There is a progressive decrease in conductivity, weight loss and the rate of
corrosion product formation on the copper as the pH value increases from pH 2 to12 using,The
highest corrosion rate, while the pH lowest, which is at pH 2. The ions got absorbed to the surface
of the specimens by acting as an anodic inhibitor which increased anodic polarization there by
helping to form a protective film and keeps it repaired by retarding or reducing the rate of corrosion
which is also a good corrosion control, method that can be adopted.

10.0 References:
➢ https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2019/ra/c9ra08482g
➢ https://www.studocu.com/en-au/document/university-of-new-south-
wales/fundamentals-of-biochemistry/corrosion-student-project/35298414
➢ https://www.slideshare.net/Koredexy/effect-of-ph-level-on-corrosion-rate