What can cause pitting and material build up when incompatible materials are used in a pump?

The correct answer highlights the phenomenon of electrochemical corrosion as the primary cause of pitting and material buildup when incompatible materials interact within a pump. When two different types of materials are used together, especially if they have dissimilar electromagnetic properties, it can create electrolytic cells where one material may corrode faster than the other. This process involves the transfer of electrons and can lead to localized corrosion, which manifests as small pits on the surface of the material.

Incompatible materials can also result in galvanic corrosion. For instance, if a more noble metal comes into contact with a less noble metal in the presence of an electrolyte (such as water), the less noble metal will corrode more rapidly. This can contribute significantly to the wear and degradation of pump components, particularly in environments where moisture is present or where other conductive elements are involved.

Understanding this relationship is critical for selecting materials correctly when designing or maintaining pumps, as it helps to prevent unexpected failures due to pitting and buildup from corrosion.