What Does
Electrolytic Liquid Mean?
An electrolytic liquid is a freely flowing chemical substance that has undergone a reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction due to the application of an external electric energy force. Electrolytic liquids play a vital role in the corrosion process because their presence triggers a reaction between two dissimilar metals.
Corrosionpedia Explains Electrolytic Liquid
Elctrolytic liquids are used as the basis of electrochemical corrosion to facilitate the two half-reactions required for corrosion to occur. These reactions are a reduction reaction (cathode) and an oxidation reaction (anode).
There are various cathodic and anodic reactions that occur depending on the type of alloy that is exposed to certain environments. The half-cell type reactions occur at atomic cathodes and anodes.
An electrolytic liquid undergoes ionization when dissolved in water or ionizing solvents. Generally, most soluble acids, bases and salts fall into this category. At times, gases such as hydrogen chloride can also act in a similar way. However, it would be classified as an electrolytic gas, assuming there is low pressure or high temperature.