Department of Chemical Engineering
 
 

Course Outline

ChE 430 (530)  Metallic Corrosion - Fall 2009

Call No. 01400 (01407)

Course objective:

The primary objective of this course is to cover the fundamental aspects of  metallic corrosion and its' mitigation.

Prerequisite:

C or better in ChE 231

Lecture times:

MWF 12 noon - 1 pm, Room 194 Stocker

Lecturer:

Syllabus:

          Introduction
(week 1; Chapter 1 in textbook; to download the lecture notes click on the topic)

-  Significance and cost of corrosion
-  Definitions and underlying mechanisms
-  Forms of corrosion
-  Corrosion rate measurements

Electrochemical thermodynamics
(weeks 2; Chapter 2 in textbook)

-  Electrode potential
-  Pourbaix diagrams
-  Potential measurements

Electrochemical kinetics
(weeks 3, 4 and 5; Chapter 3 in textbook)

-  Faraday’s law, equilibrium and exchange current density
-  Polarization
-  General rate theory
-  Mixed potential theory
-  Mass transfer effects
-  Homogeneous chemical reaction rate effects (only for ChE530 students)
-  Mass transfer in electrolytes (only for ChE530 students)

Polarization methods for corrosion rate measurements
(week 6; Chapter 5 in textbook)

-  Tafel extrapolation
-  Polarization resistance method
-  Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (only for ChE530 students)
-  Common measurement errors (only for ChE530 students)

Various forms of corrosion
(week 7, 8 and 9; Chapters 4, 6-10 in textbook)

-  passivity
-  galvanic corrosion
-  pitting and crevice corrosion
-  cracking
-  flow induced corrosion

Corrosion mitigation
(week 10; Chapter 13-15 in textbook; to download the lecture notes for this topic click here)

-  cathodic and  anodic protection
-  coatings and inhibitors
-  material selection

Textbook:

D. A. Jones, "Principles and Prevention of Corrosion", 2nd Ed. Prentice Hall 1996.
 

Assessment:

• 40% - two closed-book mid-term exams worth 20% each
• 20% - two graded homeworks worth 10% each
• 10% - one lab report
• 30% - final, closed-book, 2-hour examination

(up to 10% - optional for "participation")

Final grades will be based on well-defined criteria set out for various tasks.

The two midterm examinations will most likely be set at the end of weeks 4 and 8. They are designed to continually assess the understanding of the material presented during the lectures and to prepare the students for the final exam. The marking scheme will be stated on the examination sheets, where up to 7% out of 10%  will be awarded for demonstrating an understanding of the basic concepts, while a more in-depth understanding must be displayed to earn the remaining 3%.

The two homework assignments will most likely be set at the end of weeks 2 and 6. The submissions will be due a week later.  They are designed to reinforce the understanding of the material presented during the lectures and to prepare the students for the exams. The laboratory exercise will be scheduled after week 5 and aims to provide hands-on experience with the electrochemical corrosion measurement technique. The marking scheme for the required submissions will be stated on the assignment sheets, where typically 5% out of 10% will be awarded for doing the basic exercise, while originality and more in-depth analysis must be displayed to earn the remaining 5%.

The end-of-quarter examination will test the overall level of understanding of the material presented during the lectures. The marking scheme will be stated in the examination paper, where up to 20% will be awarded for demonstrating an understanding of the basic concepts, while an in-depth understanding must be displayed to earn the remaining 10%.

Up to 10% bonus marks will be awarded to students who display active participation in the course during the semester. This includes active participation in resolution of the problems during the tutorials/recitations, completion of small projects, etc.
 

Attendance policy:

Attendance to all sessions is required. No enforcement policy will be in effect, however students are responsible for all the material covered in class.
 

Academic misconduct:

All homework and lab report submissions will be individual work of each student. No unauthorized collaboration of any kind is permitted during preparation of the submissions or during any of the exams. All suspected cases will be treated according to University Policy as stated in the Catalog and the Student Handbook.