What type of corrosion occurs due to moisture and direct contact between dissimilar metals?

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are in electrical contact in the presence of an electrolyte, such as moisture. In this scenario, one metal acts as the anode and corrodes preferentially while the other metal, which acts as the cathode, is protected. This is a key principle in electrochemistry, which helps to explain how different metals can influence each other’s integrity in a corrosive environment.

The presence of moisture facilitates electrical conductivity, allowing for the corrosion process to take place more readily. It’s crucial for maintenance and inspection personnel to recognize the potential for galvanic corrosion when working with metal components that are joined together, especially in environments where water or humidity is prevalent. Understanding this concept is vital in implementing preventative measures to mitigate the risk of corrosion over time.

Oxidation, intergranular corrosion, and uniform corrosion represent different processes and conditions that do not specifically involve the galvanic interaction between dissimilar metals. Oxidation refers to the reaction of a metal with oxygen, while intergranular corrosion targets the grain boundaries of a material, and uniform corrosion describes a general loss of material thickness over an entire surface, all of which do not encapsulate the unique electrochemical reaction that occurs with galvanic corrosion.