Bimetallic Corrosion

Today, I've been researching how different metals, when placed together, can in certain environments cause corrosion in one of the metals.

I'm doing this to make sure that the mixture of metals I've chosen for my metal cylinders, and for their substrucure, won't cause corrosion in either. 

For the bimetallic corrosion to happen, there needs to be an electrolyte, like salt water. Rain will also act as an electrolyte, which is why metals used on the outside of buildings have to be selected carefully.

For my indoor cylinders, which shouldn't come in to contact with rain water, the issue of bimetallic corrosion shouldn't be as much of a threat, however I will be choosing suitable metals and using paint and lacquer to protect surfaces from eachother to prevent any problems.

Here's the chart I've created with the help of various websites, which shows each category of metal, their 'anodic index' and subsequently, the difference in anodic index between each category and another category. This difference in anodic index tells me whether I can safely use one type of metal with another.

I owe an enormous THANK YOU to Roger Francis, a leading expert in the field of metal corrosion for his assistance in selecting the right metals for the job.  I'm hoping he'll be able to make it up for the launch of the commission once it's installed.    http://www.rfmaterials.com/

Thanks to:

http://www.zygology.com/productcart/pc/Galvanic-Corrosion-Chart.html
http://www.estainlesssteel.com/corrosion.shtml
http://www.midastech.co.uk/pdfs/TB002-Galvaniccorrosionguide.pdf
http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=89
http://www.galvanizeit.org/hot-dip-galvanizing/how-long-does-hdg-last/in-contact-with-other-metals
http://www.roymech.co.uk/Useful_Tables/Corrosion/Cor_bi_met.html

In the press!

Yesterday, I appeared in the Northwich Guardian, talking about my new Public Art project at the soon to be build Barons Quay development, which will sit on top of a disused and recently filled, historic salt mine.

 

Photo courtesy of Nick Jones at the Northwich Guardian

 Here's a link to the online version of the article: http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/11621349.Barons_Quay_art_plans_revealed/

Awarded large scale Public Art project at Barons Quay in Northwich

I'm delighted to announce that I've been selected by Chester and Cheshire West Council to create a public art piece for a 200 metre square space at the soon to be built, Barons Quay development in Northwich.

For the space, I'll be creating 50, up to a metre long etched metal cylinders, which will be suspended from the ceiling, and undulate across the wall in the profile of the local river Weaver.

The form of the piece is rooted in the site's industrial heritage, referencing rock salt mines which still exist, but have been recently filled, underneath the new development's site. The cylinders are evocative of 'core samples' pulled from the earth, revealing layers of rock which tell the geological story of a landscape.

I will be working with the local community to develop salt inspired artwork which will influence some of the imagery etched in to these metal cylinders, engaging them in the creative process of producing a public artwork.

The piece will be installed in 2017 after the development of Barons Quay is complete.