Atmospheric corrosion is a natural process which causes the deterioration of materials due to exposure to the atmosphere. The rate at which metals corrode is highly dependent on a variety of factors such as the composition of the atmosphere, humidity, temperature, and other local environmental influences. Corrosion can result in loss of structural integrity, destruction of paint and other coatings, deterioration of surface properties, and discoloration. It is estimated that the cost of corrosion in the U.S. alone is approximately $276 billion annually (Ritle & Ellis, 2010).
The atmosphere consists primarily of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and smaller amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. The most common reaction involved in atmospheric corrosion is oxidation, which occurs when oxygen in the atmosphere reacts with the metal to form metal oxides. Two related reactions can also occur: hydrolysis, which occurs when water reacts with the metal, and acidification, which occurs when acidic gases in the atmosphere react with the metal. The combination of these reactions causes the metal to corrode.
Various metals have different reactions to atmospheric corrosion. Iron, for example, can form rust when reacted with oxygen. Aluminum and zinc, on the other hand, form a protective layer of aluminum oxide or zinc oxide. By creating this protective layer, these metals are able to resist corrosion for a longer period of time.
Another factor that can affect the rate of atmospheric corrosion is the relative humidity (RH). As RH increases, the amount of moisture in the air increases, which increases the amount of corrosion that can occur. For this reason, materials and structures located in tropical and coastal regions are often more prone to atmospheric corrosion than those located in drier climates.
Various methods can be used to slow the effects of atmospheric corrosion. One of the most common is to paint or coat the material with a corrosion-resistant material. For example, galvanizing iron or steel is a method by which iron and steel are coated with a thin layer of zinc which helps to protect the underlying iron or steel from corrosion. Other corrosion-resistant coatings can also be used, including epoxies, polyurethanes, and specialized alloys.
In addition to protective coatings, other methods of prevention can be used as well. Good ventilation can help to disperse humid air, and the use of dehumidifiers can help to lower RH levels in an area. Corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and copper can also be used instead of traditional materials such as iron and steel.
Finally, atmospheric corrosion can be monitored and studied. Corrosion monitoring systems, which measure the rate of corrosion and identify the source of corrosion, can be used to track the development of corrosion over time. This helps to identify when repair or replacement is necessary.
Atmospheric corrosion is a natural process which can have significant effects on materials and structures. However, with proper preventive measures and monitoring, the effects of atmospheric corrosion can be minimized.
翻译：
大气腐蚀是一种自然过程，由于接触大气而导致材料的退化。金属腐蚀的速度很大程度上取决于诸如大气组成，湿度，温度以及其他当地环境影响的多种因素。腐蚀可导致结构完整性的损失，涂料和其他涂层的破坏，表面性能的退化和变色。据估计，仅美国的腐蚀成本每年大约为2760亿美元（Ritle＆Ellis，2010）。
大气主要由氮（78％），氧（21％）以及较少量其他气体（如二氧化碳和水蒸气）组成。大气腐蚀中最常见的反应是氧化反应，即大气中的氧与金属反应形成金属氧化物。还可以发生两种相关反应：水解，当水与金属反应时，发生水解。酸化，当大气中的酸性气体与金属反应时发生酸化。这些反应的结合导致金属腐蚀。
各种金属有不同的反应，例如，铁可以在与氧反应时形成锈。另一方面，铝和锌形成铝氧化物或锌氧化物的保护层。通过创造这种保护层，这些金属能够抵抗腐蚀的时间更长。
另一个影响大气腐蚀速率的因素是相对湿度（RH）。随着RH的增加，空气中的水分增加，从而增加了可能发生腐蚀的数量。因此，位于热带或沿海地区的材料和结构往往比位于更干燥气候的地区更容易受到大气腐蚀的影响。
可以使用各种方法来减缓大气腐蚀的影响。最常见的方法之一就是将材料涂以耐腐蚀材料。例如，镀锌铁或钢是一种将铁和钢被薄层锌覆盖，这有助于保护下面的铁或钢免受腐蚀的方法。也可以使用其他耐腐蚀涂层，包括环氧，聚氨酯和特殊合金。
除了保护涂层外，还可以使用其他预防措施。良好的通风可以帮助分散潮湿空气，而除湿器的使用可以帮助降低区域内的RH水平。还可以使用不锈钢，钛和铜等耐腐蚀材料，而不是传统材料，如
