In this deck, we'll explore the world of materials. We'll start by looking at a common problem for metals: corrosion, and how we can prevent it. Then, we'll investigate how mixing metals creates alloys with new and useful properties. Finally, we'll cover the properties and uses of other important materials like ceramics, polymers, and composites.

A very common example of corrosion is rusting. Rusting is the specific name we give to the corrosion of iron or steel. For rusting to happen, two substances must be present with the iron.

Since we know that oxygen and water cause rust, we can prevent it by stopping them from reaching the surface of the iron. These methods are called barrier methods. This can be as simple as painting the metal, or coating it with oil or grease. A more advanced barrier method is electroplating, where electricity is used to coat the iron with a layer of a different, less reactive metal.