How is corrosion defined?

Corrosion is defined as the electrochemical deterioration of a metal as it reacts with its surrounding environment. This process involves the metal losing electrons, which can occur due to various factors including moisture, temperature, and the presence of salts or other chemicals. Corrosion typically manifests as a gradual degradation of metal, leading to structural weaknesses and failure if not properly managed.

Understanding corrosion in this way is critical for maintenance and safety in aviation, as it can affect the integrity of aircraft components over time. While options referencing physical breakdown, rusting, and brittleness touch upon aspects related to deterioration, they do not capture the full electrochemical nature of corrosion or the specific interaction between the metal and its environment that leads to this degradation. The correct definition encompasses both the chemical reactions involved and the broader impacts of these reactions on the material's structure.