Influence of acid deposition on atmospheric corrosion of zinc

Site exposure tests both open and sheltered have been carried out in acid deposition area in Southwest China. Results from six sites show that acid deposition exerts a great influence on atmospheric corrosion of Zn, and it is more serious in wet condition. Basically, Zn corrosion is directly proportional to time of exposure. While SO2 is the main pollutant of the atmosphere environment, Zn corrosion has a linear relationship to SO2 depositing rate and a hyperbolic to rain pH value.Observations by SEM, EDAX and X-ray diffraction show that under sheltered exposure condition, the corrosion products of Zn in heavy acid deposition area principally are sulphates.Based on the corrosion rates measured, the working life of galvanized steel can be predicated.