A Critical Review on Corrosion and Runoff from Zinc and Zinc-Based Alloys in Atmospheric Environments

Abstract

This critical review aims at addressing important issues concerning zinc corrosion and zinc runoff processes of zinc or zinc alloyed with aluminum or magnesium exposed to atmospheric environments. The evolution of the corrosion product (patina) layer is very important for both processes. While corrosion largely is controlled by electrochemical reactions at the metal/patina interface, runoff is predominantly governed by chemical reactions at the patina/atmosphere interface. The gradual evolution of compounds in zinc patina follows one of two main routes: one in more sulfur-dominated and one in more chloride-dominated environments. Because of climatic changes and reduction of sulfur-containing atmospheric species in many parts of the world, the chloride-route is expected to dominate over the sulfur-route. Alloying with aluminum and magnesium results in substantial improvement in corrosion protection, whereby several mechanisms have been proposed. The released amount of zinc is highly dependent on the amount of rainfall, also on sulfur dioxide concentration or deposition, and to only a low extent on chloride deposition. Based on all runoff data, a model is presented which predicts 70% of all observed zinc runoff rates within 40% from their measured value.