Corrosion and the Failure of Metals

Abstract

Corrosion is one of the greatest single factors in the failure of metals; no broad discussion of this topic could possibly be complete without reference to corros- ion phenomena. The mechanical failures encountered in practice can often be ascribed to causes such as the faulty design of components, or the unreasonable stress-ing of parts, or the use of wrong or impure materials or of those which have received faulty metallurgical treat-ment, or to the incorrect operation of machinery or equipment; the metal may well he less to blame than the man who manufactures it or uses it.But a tendency towards corrosion, on the other hand, is an inherent character-istic of many metals,including those most widely in use, and often contributes indirectly to, or intensifies, the other forms of failure to which metals are susceptible. No excuse is needed, therefore, for introducing a review of the subject into this Symposium