Corrosion is the destruction of metals through reaction with the environment. It can occur in dry or wet environments and causes economic and safety issues. There are two main types of corrosion: general/uniform corrosion, which occurs at the same rate over the entire surface, and localized corrosion, which affects only certain areas. Methods of preventing corrosion include proper material selection, protective coatings like paint and plating, cathodic protection, and design considerations. Non-ferrous metals are metals that do not contain much iron and include aluminum, copper, zinc, and others which are used due to properties like corrosion resistance.