Vectra B
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How Does Corrosion Occur? Most metals do not occur naturally but are found in compounds (ores), e.g. as oxides, sulphides or carbonates. The smelting of ores to create metals by the addition of forced energy - also known as reduction, as the oxygen is removed - produces an unnatural thermodynamic condition (metastable condition). The metal gained in this manner tends to shed the energy that was forced upon it by corroding, in order to return to a thermodynamically stable condition. Corrosion causes involuntary destruction of the metal surface. Generally a distinction is made between three types of corrosion.
• Surface corrosion • Crevice corrosion • Contact Corrosion
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