The attack on the problems of corrosion of metals has been led by electrochemists and metallurgists. These specialists have made significant contributions to the better understanding of a number of relevant phenomena and particularly of those reactions which cause the changes of the oxidation states of metals. As a consequence, various procedures have been developed for the control and inhibition of metal corrosion.
In the minds of many corrosion workers and plant operators, the significance of colloid and surface science in solving the problems associated with the corrosion of metals may not be obvious. These comments are intended to elucidate the essential role that interfacial phenomena play in this area of science and technology.
It is no secret that we still have only a very imperfect understanding of the mechanisms involved in the corrosion of metals. This state of affairs is not surprising if one recognizes the variety of reactions...
