Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry RCH1

A new episode of the “Let’s Talk About Science” podcast series has been released on the Silesian University of Technology’s podcast platforms. This episode is devoted to an unusual yet highly topical subject - the corrosion of guitar strings and its impact on the sound of the instrument.

The guests of the episode are dr inż. Maciej Sowa and mgr inż. Aleksander Olesiński from the Faculty of Chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology. In the discussion, they talk about research carried out over recent months as part of preparations for the next edition of CorrDay, an event held in connection with the celebration of the World Corrosion Awareness Day.

During the podcast, listeners are given insight into an experiment in which guitar strings (both acoustic and electric) were exposed to a solution of artificial sweat. The researchers analyzed the effect of corrosion‑induced microstructural changes on the duration and character of the sound. This example demonstrates that issues related to corrosion extend far beyond heavy industry and are also relevant in areas that may seem distant at first glance, such as music.

The conversation includes numerous interesting facts, references to practical applications of corrosion research, and a musical element (the podcast features a fragment of the composition “Fade to Black” by Metallica). The interview was conducted by editor Martin Huć.

The episode is available at:
https://polsl.transistor.fm/127 

More information about the experiment can be found here:
https://www.polsl.pl/rch-l1/en/wavelength-of-corrosion/ 

We encourage you to listen to this episode, which combines science, technology, and art in an accessible way, while also serving as a preview of the upcoming CorrDay edition at the Silesian University of Technology.

Photo: Jan Szady