AMPP Basic Corrosion Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Soft materials are more susceptible to erosion corrosion due to their lower hardness and strength relative to harder materials. Erosion corrosion occurs when a protective passive film on the material surface is disrupted by the mechanical action of a fluid, often carrying solid particles or bubbles that create localized wear.

In softer materials, this disruption can take place more rapidly because the material can be more easily worn away by the impinging flow. As a result, the protective layer is compromised more frequently, leading to increased corrosion rates. This susceptibility is particularly noticeable in applications where materials are subjected to high fluid velocities or where solid particles are entrained in the flow, as is common in many industrial processes.

Harder materials, on the other hand, tend to resist wear better and maintain their protective layers more effectively, making them less susceptible to erosion corrosion. Therefore, understanding the properties of materials, including their hardness, is crucial when predicting their behavior in corrosive environments.