Rain erosion of metals refers to the process of metal degradation or erosion caused by the impact of raindrops. While rain erosion is commonly associated with soil erosion, it can also affect metal surfaces, especially when exposed to certain conditions.
Facts about metal erosion
Here are some fun and sometimes strange facts about the contributing issues that can cause the rain erosion of metals:
Metal surface properties take the lead on this one as the properties in a metal surface will influence its resistance to rain erosion. Factors such as surface roughness, hardness, and composition can affect the susceptibility of the metal to erosion.
Softer metals or those with a rougher surface texture are generally more prone to rain erosion.
Metals that are susceptible to corrosion or oxidation are more vulnerable to rain erosion. The presence of moisture from rainfall can facilitate the corrosion process, weakening the metal surface and making it more susceptible to erosion by raindrop impact.
The amount of time that a metal is exposed to rain is also a significant factor. Prolonged exposure to rainfall can increase the likelihood and severity of rain erosion on metal surfaces, particularly in areas with high rainfall frequency.
Getting slightly nerdier, let’s have a look at raindrops size and speed and how this can influence metal erosion.
Raindrop size plays a crucial role in erosion. Large raindrops tend to have higher kinetic energy upon impact, causing more significant erosion. Additionally, the distribution of raindrop sizes within a rainstorm can affect the overall erosive forces on metal surfaces.
The velocity at which raindrops strike metal surfaces can also cause erosion. The terminal velocity of raindrops depends on their size, shape, and mass, which varies with rainfall intensity. Higher rainfall intensity results in faster raindrop velocities, leading to increased erosion potential.
