Corrosion is the deterioration of a material, especially a metal, caused by chemical or electrochemical reactions with its environment.
A familiar example is iron reacting with oxygen and moisture to form rust. Corrosion can also affect other metals and materials through processes involving water, salts, acids, oxygen, temperature, contact with other materials, or other environmental factors.
Corrosion can weaken structures, damage equipment, contaminate products, and reduce the useful life of materials. Its rate depends on the material and the environment in which it is used.
In food packaging, corrosion can damage metal containers and may affect the integrity or protective properties of the packaging. Internal can coatings can help reduce direct interaction between certain foods and the metal.
QUICK FACT
Rust is one type of corrosion, not another name for corrosion in general.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Oxidation: Oxidation is a broader chemical process. Corrosion is material deterioration that commonly involves oxidation and other electrochemical processes.
- Rust: corrosion products specifically associated with iron and iron-containing materials.
See also
