Corrosion Awareness Day is celebrated worldwide on 24th of April every year, in context to Corrosion Awareness Day activities Corrosion Control Research Cell (CCRC), Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (IMME), Faculty of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of the Punjab, Lahore in collaboration with Pakistan Chapter of Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) organized an event ‘Chemistry behind Corrosion’ held on April 22, 2025.

The event ‘Chemistry Behind Corrosion’ was designed to educate/create awareness among the students of B.Sc Metallurgy and Materials Engineering of the link between chemistry or electrochemistry and corrosion process. To further develop this concept, Dr. Ameeq Farooq, delivered introductory presentation to the undergraduate students which highlighted the basis of Electrochemistry like redox reactions, metal activity series, and displacement reactions etc. He briefly explained how the electrochemical reactions and 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 for their better understanding of corrosion related practical problems being faced in industry and their mitigation techniques. Further, he explained the role of Corrosion Control Research Cell (CCRC) (located in IMME) which 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 different lab demonstrations were displayed based on the AMPP Corrosion Tool Kit (cKit) format. Different demonstrations were displayed highlighting color of corrosion, bimetallic corrosion, 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 Kanza, Aliya Tufail, Hassaan Ahmad, Faiqa Nadeem, Muhammad Muizz Ul Haq, Ghulam Mehdi, Bisma Akhtar, Laveeza Rubbani, Muhammad Umar, Isha Kashif, Saba Sajjid, Muhammad Usman and Tanveer Ahmad. Along with demonstrations, a booth was also setup manage by Bisma Liaqat Javed and Muhammad Tayyab during the activity where they provided information regarding AMPP, Institute of Corrosion (Icorr) and Young European Federation of Corrosion (YEFC) membership and many students availed membership by scanning the QR code.

Kanza and Aliya Tufail explained about the biocompatibility of magnesium alloys. Their demonstration sheds light on how these lightweight, biodegradation metals are paving the way for next generation implants within the human body. Hassaan Ahmed demonstrated how the potential difference in a zinc-copper electrochemical/corrosion cell can be used to power the clock. Faiqa Nadeem explained participants about different color patterns of corrosion formed on the metallic strips of aluminum, zinc, nickel and copper. Muhammad Muizz Ul Haq, demonstrate the participants that how corrosion engineers in participant measured the potential of the buried structures. He also gives the overview of the sacrificial and impressed current cathodic protection to the participants. Ghulam Mehdi demonstrated the reactivity of the metals/alloys in the dilute copper sulphate and explained the importance of activity series. Bisma Akhtar demonstrates the participants about the bimetallic corrosion, she also explained how the bimetallic effect will be used to protect the structure through sacrificial cathodic protection. Laveeza Rubbani briefed about the protective coatings against corrosion available for lining in aluminum soft drink cans. Muhammad Umar briefed about the zinc electroplating technique used and carried out zinc coating application on copper/brass coin. Isha Kashif and Saba Sajid explained the rate of hydrogen evolution by filling hydrogen gas in balloons, which was formed when aluminum metal reacts with a strong acid. Muhammad Usman and Tanveer Ahmad demonstrated how the potential of different metals/alloys exhibited different potentials in 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. 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. Muhammad Kamran 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 Ateeb Ahmad, Muhammad Saad Zafar, Mehreen Irfan and Hafiz Muhammad Umar Rizwan.

In the closing session, Dr. Ameeq Farooq brief the chief guests and participants, that this is the fifth edition of ‘Chemistry Behind Corrosion’, ten (10) demonstrations were displayed by thirteen (13) demonstrators. He appreciates the efforts of Taimoor Khawar and Muhammad Ismail Ayyan in making the activity successful. Shafqat Ali, AMPP Pakistan Chapter delegate congratulate the organizing team for organizing a successful event and motivate the students to take interest the field of corrosion. Liaquat Raza, AMPP Pakistan Chapter Member At-large 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. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamran, Shafqat Ali and Liaquat Raza awarded the acknowledgement letter to the organizer, certificate among the demonstrator of the event and the top scorer of the quiz exam.