What are the two general forms of corrosion?

The two general forms of corrosion are uniform and localized. Uniform corrosion is characterized by a uniform loss of material over a large surface area, often occurring in metals exposed to corrosive environments such as moisture, acids, or salts. This type of corrosion is predictable and can be accounted for when performing maintenance and material selection.

Localized corrosion, on the other hand, refers to corrosion that occurs in isolated areas rather than uniformly across the entire surface. Forms of localized corrosion include pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, and intergranular corrosion. This type of corrosion can lead to significant structural weaknesses even when the overall material appears intact, making it critical for engineers to understand and mitigate.

The other choices refer to specific types or conditions of corrosion rather than the broader classifications. While cathodic and anodic processes are integral to electrochemical reactions leading to corrosion, they don’t encapsulate the general forms. Galvanic and crevice corrosion are forms of localized corrosion, and corrosive and non-corrosive do not represent types of corrosion but rather a condition of environments or substances. Understanding these classifications is essential for effective corrosion management and prevention strategies in engineering applications.