Abstract

Bio-corrosion and its role in deterioration of engineering materials

Author(s): Reza Javaherdashti

Bio-corrosion or as more frequently referenced “Microbiologically influenced corrosion”, is electrochemical corrosion in nature. It means that it still needs anode, cathode and an electrolyte to proceed. These features sets it apart from what is generally referred to as bio-deterioration/degradation of non-metallics because the latter does not need anode, cathode or electrolyte rather moisture and a watery environment enriched with nutrients for the microorganisms would suffice to let them proliferate. However, the more the polymer/composite structure is similar to natural polymers (facilitating pick up of nutrients such as but not limited to carbon), susceptibility of non-metallics to bio-degradation would also increase. In addition, if in the making of the polymer/composite materials suitable for bioconsumption are used, this would also increase the probability of failure in these materials.