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.

Stainless steel production complex

Mechel OAO has announced that Russian prime minister Mr Vladimir Putin has inaugurated a stainless steel production complex in the arc furnace melting shop 6 of Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant (CMP).

Sn-added ferritic stainless steel grades

Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel Corp. (NSSC) has developed the world’s first Sn-added low-interstitial ferritic steel grades, named the “FW (forward) series”.

Nickel market may swing into deficit

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. has predicted that the nickel market may swing into a greater deficit than expected in 2010 because of supply disruptions and greater Chinese demand, which could boost prices.

New generation martensitic stainless steel

Baosteel has successfully developed a Nitrogen controlled high strength martensitic stainless steel with excellent hardness and corrosion resistance for cutting tools.

Seminar praises molybdenum

A seminar was held in Beijing discussing molybdenum and how it improves the performance of steels.

Stainless steel hollow bars

Sandvik Materials Technology now offers 100 different sizes of stainless steel hollow bar, from 32mm to 420mm outside diameter.

Stainless Steel World visits Tradinox

With a long tradition in metal-working, Spain has become a significant market for all kinds of industrial and engineering activities.

Questek awards first production license

QuesTek Innovations LLC has awarded a license to Latrobe Specialty Steel Co. to produce and sell Ferrium® M54™.

Stainless steel identification systems

Safety specialist Bormann & Neupert now offers long-lasting stainless steel identification systems. Bormann & Neupert will present these systems with all their benefits at this year's Powtech (27-29 April in Nuremberg. Germany).

Sandvik Loniflex™

Sandvik Materials Technology will be demonstrating the advantages of its new high quality, low nickel spring wire grade Sandvik Loniflex™ at Wire 2010, along with its extensive range of precision spring materials.


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.