STUDY OF THE

EFFECT OF METAL
COUPLING ON
THE RUSTING OF
IRON
Index
Acknowledgement
Certificate
Aim
Introduction
Mechanism of Corrosion of Metal
Methods of Prevention of Corrosion of Metal
Aim of this Project
Apparatus
Procedure
Observation
Conclusion
 CERTIFICATETHIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT RUCHIKA
MISHRA OF CLASS XII HAS SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETED HIS CHEMISTERY PROJECT ON THE
TOPIC " METAL COUPLING ON THE RUSTING OF
IRON " AS PRESCRIBED BY Mrs. JYOTI SHARMA
Ma'am, DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
AS PER THE GUIDELINES ISSUES BY CENTRAL BOARD
OF SECONDARY EDUCATION - CBSE.

(Mrs. JYOTI SHARMA) EXTERNAL

EXAMINER CHEMISTERY
Acknowledgment
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank my Teacher Mrs Jyoti Sharma
whose unstinted support, Guidance
and Encouragement has enabled me
to complete this Project. I would like to
Thank our Lab- Assistant Mr Rajesh
for co-operation
AIM
STUDY OF THE
EFFECT OF METAL
COUPLING ON THE
RUSTING OF IRON
Introduction
Metal corrosion is the most common form of corrosion. The corrosion
occurs at the surface of the metal in forms of chemical or
electrochemical reactions. This process significantly reduces the
strength, plasticity, toughness and other mechanical properties of the
metallic material. However, because of the metal and its alloys is still
the most important pipe and structure materials, the cost of corrosion
grows significantly with the growth of industries. Thus many scientists
focus on the research of corrosion control in order to reduce the cost
of replacing the rusting metal material. Nowadays,there are mainly
two corrosion control methods that are very popular in the world. One
is impressed current and another is sacrificial anode cathode
protection system. In this project, we will focus on the mechanism
and application of the sacrificial anode cathode protection system
Mechanism of corrosion of
metal
Reaction is the fundamental reaction during the corrosion process,
which the electron can flow from certain areas on the metal
surface to other areas through a solution which can conduct
electric currents. Basically, both anodic and cathode reactions
have to balance each other out, resulting in a neutral reaction.
Both anodic and cathodic reactions occur simultaneously at the
same rates. What’s more, the site of these electrodes may consist
of either two different kinds of metals, or they may be on different
areas of the same piece of metal, resulting a potential difference
between the two electrodes, so that the oxidation reaction of the
metal at the anode and formation of negative ions at the cathode
can take place at the same time.
Similar electrical potentials may also be developed between two areas
of a component made of a single metal as result of small differences in
composition or structure or of differences in the conditions to which the
metal surface is exposed. That part of a metal which becomes the
corroding area is called the “anode”; that which acts as the other
electrode of the battery is called “cathode” which does not corrode, but
is an important part of the system. In the corrosion systems commonly
involved, with water containing some salts in solution as the electrolyte.
Corrosion may even take place with pure water, provided that oxygen
is present. In such cases oxygen combines with the hydrogen
generated at the cathode, removing it and permitting the reaction to go
on.
Rusting: An Electrochemical Mechanism Rusting may be explained
by an electrochemical mechanism. In the presence of moist air
containing dissolved oxygen or carbon dioxide, the commercial iron
behaves as if composed of small electrical cells. At anode of cell, iron
passes into solution as ferrous ions. The electron moves towards the
cathode and form hydroxyl ions. Under the influence of dissolved
oxygen, the ferrous ions and hydroxyl ions interact to form, i.e.,
hydrated ferric oxide.
Methods of Prevention of Corrosion
and Rusting Some of the methods
used: -

Barrier Protection: In this method, a barrier

film is introduced between iron surface and
atmospheric air. The film is obtained by
painting, varnishing etc.
Galvanization : The metallic iron is covered
by a layer of more reactive metal such as
zinc. The active metal losses electrons in
preference of iron. Thus, protecting from
rusting and corrosion.
Aim of this Project
In this project the aim is to
investigate effect of the metal
coupling in rusting of iron. Metal
coupling affect the rusting of Iron.
If the nail is coupled with more
electro positive metal like zinc ,
magnesium or aluminium , rusting
Apparatus
 Two Petri dishes

Four test-tube

Four iron nails

Beaker
Wire gauge

 Gelatine

Copper, Zinc and Magnesium strips

Potassium ferricyanide solutions

Phenolphthal
PROCEDURE
 At first we have to clean the surface of iron nails with
the help of sand paper.
 After that we have to wind zinc strip around one nail,
a clean copper wire around the second and clean
magnesium strip around the third nail. Then to put all
these three and Mg Zn Cu a fourth nail in Petri dishes
so that they are not in contact with each other.
 Then to fill the Petri dishes with hot agar agar solution
in such a way that only lower half of the nails are
covered with the liquids.
 Keep the covered Petri dishes for one day or so.
 Observation
S.No Metal Pair Colour of the Patch Rust Or
. Nails Not
1. Iron-Zinc Pink No

2. Iron- Copper Blue Yes

3. Iron- Pink No
Magnesium
4. Iron-Nail Blue Yes
CONCLUSION

It is clear from the observation that

coupling of iron with more
electropositive metals such as zinc
and magnesium resists corrosion
and rusting of iron. Coupling of
iron with less electropositive metals
such as copper increases rusting.