Corrosion is a familiar electrochemical reaction. Â In the general case, a metal is oxidized and thus moves from a solid to a liquid (ionic) state resulting in the solid sample losing mass.
About 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the U.S. is spent every year combating the effects of this seemingly simple process of corrosion. Corrosion affects the oil company that is pumping hot crude through miles.The civil engineer designing rebar support for the concrete in bridges, the bio-material scientist developing medical stints and joint replacements that are implanted into people in hospitals every day.
Corrosion is a real world problem, the effects of which should be considered any time a metal is put into service in a salty, humid environment.