Corrosion rates tend to behave how with changing temperature?

As temperature increases, corrosion rates generally increase as well. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors. First, higher temperatures can accelerate electrochemical reactions, which are fundamental to the corrosion process. When the temperature rises, the kinetic energy of the molecules involved in these reactions increases, leading to more frequent and energetic interactions.

Additionally, with rising temperatures, the solubility of gases such as oxygen in aqueous solutions usually decreases, which can enhance the corrosiveness of the environment by altering the concentration levels of reactive species. Consequently, this combination of increased reaction rates and changes in environmental chemistry contributes to a higher overall rate of corrosion.

Understanding this relationship is critical in industries dealing with materials that are exposed to varying temperatures, as it informs decisions related to material selection, protective coatings, and maintenance strategies to mitigate corrosion issues effectively.