THE CORROSION and PROTECTION CENTRE AT U.M.I.S.T.

Abstract

In April 1972, Corrosion and Protection Centre was established at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, based upon the former Corrosion Science Division of the Department of Chemical Engineering. Simultaneously, the appointment of a Professor of Corrosion Science, Britain's first such chair, was announced. Professor G. C. Wood, formerly Reader in Corrosion Science in the Department of Chemical Engineering, was elected to this Chair. We shall attempt to outline, in a series of brief articles, the reasons for the establishment of the Centre and to describe the approach adopted by the Centre to its three main areas of activity in corrosion and protection, namely education, research and advice and assistance to industry.

Graham Wood. 6 February 1934—4 November 2016

“…As part of the deal, a new chair was created for Graham. In April 1972, therefore, the Corrosion and Protection Centre came into being at UMIST, with Graham becoming, as the tabloid press had it, 'Britain's first Professor of Rust' (Procter & Ashworth 1972).…”

“…Corrosion Science Division, Chemical Engineering (1961-1972 Far from being a narrow subject, one of the attractions about corrosion protection and control is that it has always operated at the interfaces where science, engineering and technology interact. For example, the study by Alessandro Volta FRS of the 'pile battery' (Volta 1800), comprising zinc and copper sheets separated with salt-soaked paper, showed that current was caused by the disappearance (i.e.…”