• Uniform • Galvanic • Dealloying • Crevice • Pitting • Intergranular • MIC • SCC • HB-HE-HIC • Fatigue • Erosion • Fretting • Index

Different Types of Corrosion
- Recognition, Mechanisms & Prevention

What is dealloying? Dealloying is the selective corrosion of one or more components of a solid solution alloy. It is also called parting, selective leaching or selective attack. Common dealloying examples are  decarburization, decobaltification, denickelification, dezincification, and graphitic corrosion or graphitization.

Decarburization is the selective loss of carbon from the surface layer of a carbon-containing alloy due to reaction with one or more chemical substances in a medium that contacts the surface.

Decobaltification is selective leaching of cobalt from cobalt-base alloys, such as Stellite, or from cemented carbides.

Denickelification is the selective leaching of nickel from nickel-containing alloys. Most commonly observed in copper-nickel alloys after extended service in fresh water.

Dezincification is the selective leaching of zinc from zinc-containing alloys. Most commonly found in copper-zinc alloys containing less than 85% copper after extended service in water containing dissolved oxygen.

Graphitic corrosion is the deterioration of gray cast iron in which the metallic constituents are selectively leached or converted to corrosion products leaving the graphite intact. It is sometimes also referred to as graphitization.

 
Graphitic corrosion of a gray cast iron valve

What causes dealloying? Different metals and alloys have different electrochemical potentials (or corrosion potentials) in the same electrolyte. Modern alloys contain a number of different alloying elements that exhibit different corrosion potentials. The potential difference is the driving force for the preferential attack on the more "active" element in the alloy.

In the case of dezincification of brass, zinc is preferentially leached out of the copper-zinc alloy, leaving behind a copper-rich surface layer that is porous and brittle.

• Select metals/alloys that are more resistant to dealloying. For example, inhibited brass is more resistant to dezincification that alpha brass, ductile iron is more resistant to graphitic corrosion than gray cast iron.
• Control the environment to minimize the selective leaching

Corrosion and Its Prevention (5-day module)
Corrosion and Its Prevention (2-day module)
Corrosion, Metallurgy, Failure Analysis and Prevention (3 days)
Marine Corrosion, Causes and Prevention (2 days)
Materials Selection and Corrosion (2 days)
Stainless Steels and Alloys: Why They Resist Corrosion and How They Fail (2 days)

Copyright © 1995-2009. All rights reserved.