Artworks

Corrosion

Corrosion is a natural process that converts a refined metal into a more chemically stable oxide. It is the gradual deterioration of materials by chemical reaction with their environment. Aluminium, for example, does not rust but, when exposed to air, water or soil, reacts with oxygen to form a thin coat of oxide that chemically bonds to its surface. The coat of aluminium oxide hardens on to the surface and, unlike rust, it doesn't flake but keeps the metal beneath protected from further corrosion.