Corrosion Awareness Day is celebrated worldwide on 24th of April every year, in context to Corrosion Awareness Day activities Pakistan Chapter of Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) in collaboration with Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (IMME), Faculty of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of the Punjab, Lahore organized an event ‘Chemistry behind Corrosion’ held on April 22 and 24, 2024.

The event ‘Chemistry Behind Corrosion’ was designed to develop interest and awareness about corrosion related issues and its worldwide impact on environment and assets, among the undergraduate students of B.Sc Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. To achieve this objective, Dr. Ameeq Farooq, instructor of the Applied Chemistry course, delivered introductory presentation to the undergraduate students which highlighted the basis of Electrochemistry like redox reactions, metal activity series, and displacement reactions etc. Briefly explained how the electrochemical reactions which govern the corrosion mechanism, the unique reactivity of every element and alloy in particular environment, help engineers and experts in material selection and determining the corrosion mitigation techniques.

Case studies were also shared with the students to assist them to have a better understanding of corrosion related practical problems being faced in industry and their mitigation techniques. Further explained the role of Corrosion Control Research Cell (CCRC) lab (located in IMME) is providing consulting services to many metallurgical, chemical, and process industries in Pakistan.

The importance of student memberships of the AMPP, Institute of Corrosion (Icorr) and Young European Federation of Corrosion (YEFC) was explained. Also explained that through those memberships they will have the chance to network with the global corrosion professionals and win scholarship from international organizations.

Next a lab demonstration was conducted based on the AMPP Corrosion Tool Kit (cKit) format. Different demonstrations were displayed highlighting corrosion in concrete, zinc electroplating, corrosion protection by coating, corrosion in bio-implants, corrosion clock, activity series, hydrogen evolution on metal surface and corrosion mitigation techniques. Demonstrators include undergraduate students Huzaifa Ahmad, Ali Haider, Muhammad Faizan, Noor Fatima, Hassaan Ahmad, Muhammad Muizz Ul Haq, Ghulam Mehdi and Yousaf.

Hassaan Ahmed demonstrated how the potential difference in an electrochemical/corrosion cell can be used to power the clock. Muhammad Muizz Ul Haq demonstrated how the potential of different metals/alloys was measured in different aggressive environment with the help of voltmeter. He also guided the students how the galvanic series was developed in the different environments to predict the behavior of the alloys. Ghulam Mehdi demonstrated the reactivity of the metals/alloys in the dilute copper sulphate and explained the importance of activity series. Yousaf explained the rate of hydrogen gas evolve on different metals surface during electrolysis in acidic water. In the interactive session students raised inquisitive questions and demonstrators satisfied them by highlighting the basic principles of corrosion mechanism. This activity generated a healthy atmosphere and encouraged them to seek more knowledge.

The Director of IMME Prof. Dr. Mohsin Ali Raza was present during the session and appreciated the efforts of Dr. Ameeq Farooq and demonstrators on organizing this excellent event. At the end of the session, a quiz was conducted and top scorer was Muhammad Ismail Ayyan, Tanveer Ahmad, Muhammad Usman, Adina Hamayon, Muhammad Subhaan Farooqi and Muhammad Muzammil.

The event was sponsored by M/s Indegrity, a service provider company ensuring Industrial Plant Indegrity and Safety. In closing session, the Indegrity Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Zeshan Rasheed, Director Technical Ahmed Asad and Proposal Engineer Hajrah Mobeen was also present along with the Chapter Delegate of Pakistan Chapter AMPP Shafqat Ali. In the closing remarks, Shafqat Ali congratulate the organizing team for organizing a successful event and motivate the students to take interest the field of corrosion.

Muhammad Zeshan Rasheed also appreciate the efforts of Dr. Ameeq Farooq for organizing such a successful event and also emphasized that such type of events should be conducted on regular basis to have better understanding about phenomena of corrosion. Ahmed Asad motivated the students to keep learning and expanding their vision about the subject. Muhammad Zeeshan Rasheed, Shafqat Ali and Ahmed Asad awarded the certificate among the demonstrator of the event and the top scorer of the quiz exam.