Corrosion

Decomposition of a material due to the influence of the environment, mainly the decomposition of metals due to electrochemical reactions. The corrosion of metals is generally caused by oxidation due to oxygen in the air and may be strongly accelerated by the presence of water. The best method of protecting metals consists of applying a non-porous layer protecting the metal from oxygen and damp. It is possible to produce very effective protective layers using plasma techniques, the advantage being the excellent homogeneity of the layers. The most appropriate techniques are PEPVD and PECVD, as well as plasma polarisation. These techniques are nevertheless limited due to the thickness of the layers deposited and their high prices.