Electrical corrosion

Timo Schlick · science forum beginner Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

Hello group,

if a high voltage is attached to a spiky steel electrode in air (in
order to transmit electrons to a adjacent ground electrode), the
electrode will corrode in a little while. Electroplating with Au will
prolongate but not eliminate this process. The corrosion process speed
apparently depends mainly on the current emitted by the electrode.

Being an electrical guy its not clear to me what chemical processes are
going on here in detail. Any hints or suggestions? What chemical or
physical attributes of the electrode material have influence on the
corrosion process?

TIA, timo.

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