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Elements di Teoria Della Corrosione a Umido dei Materiali Metallici
Corrosion Science, 1961, Vol. I, p. 177. Pergamon Press Ltd. Printed in Great Britain.
BOOK REVIEW Elements di Teoria Della Corrosione a Umido dei Materiali Metallici. R. PIONTELLI. 22"5 ,", 14'5 cm.
Pp. xxiii ÷ 452 with 3 plates. 1961. Milano: Longanesi e C. (In Italian.) 3,500 lire. IN THE first of a series of five monographs on physico-chemical topics Professor Piontelli sets out to present "in a condensed, yet systematic and rigorous form, the ideas and theoretical methods" relating to the subject of aqueous corrosion. A somewhat extended list of definitions (50 pp.) is followed by a discussion of the theoretical aspects. The chemical processes involved are first considered, after which a comprehensive treatment of the thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical systems is given. The author's aim at condensation is not fully realized. The possible effects of the physical and chemical nature of the metal, its environment and the products of corrosion are then examined with encyclopaedic thoroughness, but the introduction to the use of potential/pH diagrams in this context is disappointing; more practical examples here would have been helful. A very brief survey of the causes and morphology of non-uniform attack precedes a discussion of the "diagnostic approach" to corrosion problems, in which the examination of specific problems is rationalized. The final section on prevention and protection is the shortest in the book, and mentions briefly the various alternative methods: cathodic protection is emphasized. The author wisely remarks that the best method of corrosion prevention is enlightened design. Although this book is not a corrosion text in the conventional sense--the relative weight given to the various sections is at times surprising--the author has produced a fairly rigorous approach to the theory of the subject that should at least convince students of classical thermodynamics that the corrosion phenomena can be referred to physico-chemical laws. The rough cream paper is not suited to the reproductions of photographs, and'the extensive use of manuscript symbols is scarcely less disconcerting than the lack of logical order in the prefatory list of symbols, nor does the abbreviation of the more commonly used terms make reading any easier. It will be interesting to compare this volume with the later titles of the series. G. P. ROTHWELL
177
BOOK REVIEW Elements di Teoria Della Corrosione a Umido dei Materiali Metallici. R. PIONTELLI. 22"5 ,", 14'5 cm.
Pp. xxiii ÷ 452 with 3 plates. 1961. Milano: Longanesi e C. (In Italian.) 3,500 lire. IN THE first of a series of five monographs on physico-chemical topics Professor Piontelli sets out to present "in a condensed, yet systematic and rigorous form, the ideas and theoretical methods" relating to the subject of aqueous corrosion. A somewhat extended list of definitions (50 pp.) is followed by a discussion of the theoretical aspects. The chemical processes involved are first considered, after which a comprehensive treatment of the thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical systems is given. The author's aim at condensation is not fully realized. The possible effects of the physical and chemical nature of the metal, its environment and the products of corrosion are then examined with encyclopaedic thoroughness, but the introduction to the use of potential/pH diagrams in this context is disappointing; more practical examples here would have been helful. A very brief survey of the causes and morphology of non-uniform attack precedes a discussion of the "diagnostic approach" to corrosion problems, in which the examination of specific problems is rationalized. The final section on prevention and protection is the shortest in the book, and mentions briefly the various alternative methods: cathodic protection is emphasized. The author wisely remarks that the best method of corrosion prevention is enlightened design. Although this book is not a corrosion text in the conventional sense--the relative weight given to the various sections is at times surprising--the author has produced a fairly rigorous approach to the theory of the subject that should at least convince students of classical thermodynamics that the corrosion phenomena can be referred to physico-chemical laws. The rough cream paper is not suited to the reproductions of photographs, and'the extensive use of manuscript symbols is scarcely less disconcerting than the lack of logical order in the prefatory list of symbols, nor does the abbreviation of the more commonly used terms make reading any easier. It will be interesting to compare this volume with the later titles of the series. G. P. ROTHWELL
177