ChE 535

Homework 3
03-29-18

1. In groups of 4 prepare solutions in test tubes according to the following specifications.

You will then place carbon steel nails in these solutions and allow them to react for 3
weeks. (will be done on Thursday, April 19)
1. Covered half way with water
2. Covered completely with water (leave large air gap up water level)
3. Covered completely with boiled water (don’t leave an air gap above water level)
4. Covered with 1.0 M HCl
5. Covered with 1.0 M NaOH
6. Repeat 1-5 with the addition of (0.05 wt%) sodium nitrite

Explain the observed phenomena for each nail. Write electrochemical reactions where
appropriate. Determine the rate of corrosion for each sample in MPY. Note, for question
6 you might have to look in Section 6-5 (p. 282) of Fontana to find the mechanism(s).

2. Place an iron nail in a beaker containing a solution of 10% copper sulfate. Remove after
15 minutes.

Describe what you observed. Write the electrochemical reactions to explain the observed
phenomena.

4. Calculate the corrosion rate (in mm/yr and mpy) for iron in an acid if the iron loss is 0.01
grams over an area of 10 cm2 in 30 hours. Iron has a density of 7.87 grams/cm3.

5. Calculate the corrosion rate in mm/yr for an iron cell having an area of 250 cm2 exposed
to a corrosive electrolyte. The corrosion current is 100 A ( microamps) and is found to
be constant. The corrosion is evenly distributed over the surface and uniform in type.
The oxidation state of the primary iron corrosion product is (+2).

6. A 304SS tank containing dilute sulfuric acid and a small amount of ferric sulfate exists in
the passive state and has a corrosion rate of 0.01 mpy. Your boss, Bob Optimizer, has
suggested that applying a cathodic current could further reduce the corrosion rate. Is boss
Bob correct? Describe what will happen electrochemically if sufficient cathodic current
is applied.

7. Why is it important not to clean a stainless steel surface with an oily rag prior to welding?

8. Explain what effect impressed cathodic current (cathodic protection) has on the time to
failure during the following.
a. Stress corrosion cracking
b. Hydrogen embrittlement

Explain why this effect occurs.

9. Mandy, UND ace welder, comes by and asks whether using Type 347 SS welding rod to
weld Type 304 SS sheet will help to avoid intergranular corrosion. What will you tell
her?

10. The emf of a cell made up of zinc (anode) and hydrogen electrode (cathode) immersed in
0.5M ZnCl2 is +0.590 V at 298 K. What is the pH of the solution if the partial pressure
of H2 is 1 atm?

11. Zinc is immersed in a solution of CuCl2 at 298 K. What is the reaction and at what
activity ratio of Zn2+/Cu2+ will the reaction stop?

12. A copper storage tank containing dilute H2SO4 at pH 0.1 is blanketed with hydrogen at 1
atm. Calculate the maximum Cu2+ contamination of the acid in moles Cu2+ per liter if
the temperature is 298 K. What is the corresponding contamination if the hydrogen
partial pressure is reduced to 10-4 atm?

Due Thursday, April 26