Corrosion

Definition of Corrosion

Corrosion is defined as a refined metal that is naturally converted to a more stable form such as its hydroxide or sulphide state. Metal corrodes when it reacts with another substance such as oxygen, hydrogen or bacteria. Corrosion can also happen when metals are placed under too much stress causing the material to crack. Corrosion leads to deterioration of the material.

Stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, making it suitable for use in environments where exposure to moisture, chemicals, or harsh conditions such as salt water is expected.

In this section you can find newsitems related to all types of corrosion such as stress corrosion cracking, intergranular corrosion, pitting, and corrosion fatigue. If you wish to include your news release on our website and email newsletter, please feel free to contact the editor.

Stalatube delivers 1,000 tons of SS tubes

Recently, Stalatube has delivered products to a major Norwegian oil field project. The total value of the products delivered to the project in the years 2016–2017 will reach almost EUR 6M.

Supra 316plus for a LNG tank container

LNGTainer has launched a new tank which combines two innovations – LNGTainer’s game-changing tank container and Outokumpu’s unique austenitic stainless steel grade, Supra 316plus.

EOS sets quality standard for metal-based AM

EOS is the technology supplier in the field of industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers. With EOS StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine, the company has raised the bar in terms of industrial and quality standards in Additive Manufacturing (AM) across the entire sector.

Consortium to audit North Sea NDT challenge

A consortium of organisations has set out to tackle one of the most enduring challenges in the North Sea: the non-destructive testing (NDT) of corroded pipes under insulation and engineered temporary pipe wraps.

Schenck Process to open SS production plant

In an effort to better serve the high end food, dairy, nutraceutical and fine chemical markets Schenck Process announces an investment to renovate its main plant at the Whitewater, Wisconsin location to a dedicated stainless steel production facility.

mbo Osswald celebrates 50 years

mbo Osswald was founded by Anton Osswald in 1967 manufacturing high-quality linking elements. During the first few years, Anton manufactured a series production line for bolts, folding spring bolts and clevises that was capable of manufacturing both standard parts and special solutions.

Spartan represents Permasense in Canada

Spartan Controls Ltd. is now the exclusive representative for Permasense™ in Western Canada. Permasense™ provides complete non-intrusive sensor-based solutions for continuous corrosion or erosion monitoring data resulting in better-informed operational decision-making and enabling safer, more profitable operations.

UGI 4550 SS for the process industry

Safe transport of hot gases and vapors at temperatures of up to 850°C - is an important requirement for manufacturers of components for the process industry.

Outokumpu provides super duplex for SS boat

Outokumpu provided Forta super duplex stainless steel for a prototype of an offshore patrol vessel made by Swedish ship maker Swedish Steel Yachts AB (SSY).

Outokumpu supplies to China Resources

Outokumpu has provided 1,000 metric tonnes of Supra 316L/4404 stainless steel for the China Resources Group headquarters in mainland China.


Corrosion can be a big problem because it can cause significant damage and deterioration to various materials, particularly metals. We have listed below several reasons why corrosion is a significant concern:

Structural Integrity: Corrosion weakens the structural integrity of materials. When metals corrode, they lose their strength and load-bearing capacity, which can lead to failures and collapses in infrastructure, buildings, bridges, pipelines, and other critical structures.

Economic Impact: Corrosion imposes substantial economic costs. The direct expenses associated with corrosion include repairs, replacements, and maintenance of corroded structures and equipment. Additionally, there are indirect costs such as production losses, decreased efficiency, and increased energy consumption due to the effects of corrosion on industrial processes and machinery.

Environmental Consequences: Corrosion can have adverse environmental effects. For example, in the case of pipelines, corrosion can lead to leaks and spills of hazardous substances, causing soil and water pollution and damaging ecosystems.

Health and Safety Risks: Corrosion can create health and safety risks in various ways. For instance, when corrosion affects pipelines or storage tanks carrying toxic substances, it can lead to leaks or releases that endanger the health of workers, communities, and the environment.

Maintenance and Downtime: Corrosion necessitates regular maintenance and inspection programs to detect and mitigate its effects. This requires significant time, effort, and financial resources. Additionally, when corrosion-related issues arise, it often requires shutting down operations, causing downtime and productivity losses.

Given these reasons, it is crucial to understand and address corrosion through preventive measures, protective coatings, corrosion-resistant materials, regular inspections and testing (ASTM B117), and appropriate maintenance practices to mitigate its impact and ensure the longevity and safety of structures and equipment.