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.

Chinese company extends lance tube life to 1 year

Yong Steel Group, an iron and steel producer in China, has managed to extend the service life of its pulverised coal injection (PCI) lance tubes – one of the most important blast furnace components – from one month to one year by replacing standard grade tubing with Sandvik 253 MA. Sandvik 253 MA is an austenitic chromium-nickel steel that is designed for excellent high temperature oxidation resistance and carburisation corrosion resistance and good high temperature strength.

New high-speed pipe purging system

High-speed pipe purging system QuickPurge® III for purging tube, pipe and pipeline joints for welding cuts waiting times and amortise themselves in less than one weld.

MMFX ChrŠ?mX meets expanded ASTM A1035 specification

ASTM International recently expanded its A1035 specification to include several steel chemistry compositions. With this new specification, scheduled to be published mid-July, engineers can clearly designate the mechanical properties needed to meet their design and owner requirements by calling for ASTM A1035 CL, CM or CS.

Pegler Yorkshire launches new stainless steel tube

Plumbing and heating solutions specialist Pegler Yorkshire announced the launch of its XPress SS630 tube – a new grade of stainless steel tube that benefits from equivalent strength and corrosion properties as the 316.

Sandvik’s express delivery for heat exchanger tubes

In 2014, several heat exchangers at an Egyptian Propane Dehydrogenation plant failed unexpectedly and caused a production shutdown.

Steel Dynamics announces planned capability expansion

Steel Dynamics announced plans to expand its offering of value-added flat roll steel products through the addition of painting and Galvalume capabilities at its Columbus, Mississippi, steel mill. The company plans to invest approximately USD 100M and create 40 new jobs in order to add production capability of higher-margin pre-painted and Galvalume flat roll steel.

Sandvik presents advanced steels at OTC 2015

newsitemSandvik, developer and producer of advanced stainless steels, special alloys, titanium and other high-performance materials, exhibited its technologies at the Offshore Technology Conference 2015. "Every year, OTC is a valuable opportunity for us to connect with the industry and share our expertise in leading corrosion resistant material solutions and our next generation high-performance materials", said Leandro Finzetto, Regional Sales Manager, Oil & Gas Americas at Sandvik.

Sandvik launches high-temperature steel tubes

Sandvik introduced its range of high-temperature tubes with its ‘Steel campaign’. Specifically developed for high operating temperatures, Sandvik 4C54 and Sandvik 253 MA tubes for PCI burner lances can significantly outlast conventional materials when used in blast furnaces.

New pipes by CENTRAVIS for chemical plants

In order to improve performance of the existing heat exchanger tubes, CENTRAVIS has developed a novel technology of double quenching of the material (02Ð¥22Ð?5Ð?М3, a Russian analogue to duplex 1.4462/UNS S31803), and in 2014 initiated five-months long corrosion testing, which has proven that the material has superior performance against all types of corrosion, as well as excellent mechanical properties. Heat exchanger tubes of this duplex steel manufactured by CENTRAVIS allows customers to decrease both direct (regular replacement of the tubes) and indirect (repairs and idle times affecting productivity) costs due to significantly higher corrosion resistance of the material of up to 2.8 to 2.9 times.

Ugitech aerospace solutions at Paris Air Show

Ugitech, a company of the SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Group, is presenting its solutions for aerospace at the Paris Air Show in June.


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.