Corrosion Course Part I | IIT Kanpur | Materials Science & Engineering

Course Details

Master the Fundamentals of Corrosion: An In-Depth Course from IIT Kanpur

Corrosion is a silent but relentless adversary, costing industries billions annually and compromising the safety and longevity of critical infrastructure. Understanding its mechanisms is not just an academic exercise but a vital necessity for engineers and scientists. We are proud to introduce Corrosion - Part I, a meticulously structured 8-week online course designed and delivered by Prof. Kallol Mondal from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.

This course offers a deep dive into the electrochemical principles that govern material degradation, equipping you with the foundational knowledge to predict, analyze, and combat corrosion in real-world scenarios.

Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Kallol Mondal

Prof. Kallol Mondal is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur. With extensive research expertise in phase transformations of metals and alloys, corrosion and oxidation behavior, and multi-phase steel development, he brings both profound theoretical knowledge and practical insight to this course. His guidance will help you bridge the gap between textbook concepts and industrial applications.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is tailored for a diverse audience seeking to build or strengthen their expertise in corrosion:

• Bachelor and Master students in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and related fields.
• Industry Professionals in sectors like oil & gas, chemical processing, power generation, infrastructure, and manufacturing, where corrosion poses significant operational and financial challenges.
• PhD Scholars and researchers initiating work in corrosion science and engineering.

Prerequisites & Industry Relevance

To get the most out of this course, a basic understanding of Chemical Thermodynamics, Phase Transformations, and Electrochemistry is recommended.

The course content holds immense value for key industries, including:

• Oil & Gas Companies (for pipeline and refinery integrity)
• Chemical Processing Plants
• Power Sector (thermal, nuclear, and renewable energy infrastructure)
• Any industry reliant on the long-term performance of metallic components.

Detailed 8-Week Course Layout

The course is logically sequenced to build your understanding from the ground up, starting with the "why" and moving to the "how" of corrosion control.

Week 1 & 2: Introduction & Thermodynamic Foundations

The journey begins by establishing the scope and economic impact of corrosion. You'll learn about different forms of environmental degradation and, crucially, the electrochemical nature of most corrosion processes. Weeks 2 and 3 delve into thermodynamics, covering concepts like free energy, electrochemical potential, the EMF series, and the Nernst equation to predict the spontaneity of corrosion reactions.

Week 3 & 4: Tools for Prediction – Cells & Diagrams

Building on thermodynamics, you'll explore reference electrodes, cell potentials, and one of the most powerful tools in corrosion science: the Pourbaix Diagram (E-pH diagram). The course will demonstrate the calculation and interpretation of Pourbaix diagrams for key metals like Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Copper (Cu), and Nickel (Ni), teaching you how to predict material stability in different environments. Week 4 also introduces the kinetics of corrosion, linking current density to corrosion rate.

Week 5 & 6: Understanding the Speed – Kinetics & Mixed Potential Theory

Why do some metals corrode rapidly while others seem inert? The answer lies in kinetics. You'll study different types of polarization (activation, concentration, resistance) that control the rate of electrochemical reactions. Weeks 6 and 7 introduce the cornerstone Mixed Potential Theory, which is essential for understanding the corrosion of common engineering alloys and the phenomenon of passivation.

Week 7 & 8: Applying Knowledge – Protection Strategies

The course culminates in practical strategies to defeat corrosion. You will learn about electrochemical protection methods, including:

• Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection
• Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP)
• Anodic Protection

These modules will provide you with the principles to select and design protection systems for various applications.

Course at a Glance

Embark on this learning journey to demystify corrosion. Whether you aim to excel in academics, enhance your professional skill set, or drive innovation in your industry, this course offers the robust foundational knowledge you need. Enroll today and take the first step towards mastering one of materials science's most critical challenges.

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