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.

Philip Cornes celebrates 50 years

Philip Cornes & Co. Ltd was founded in 1958 in Greet, Birmingham in the UK, to specialise in the supply of nickel alloys and also heat and corrosion resistant stainless steels to various industries throughout the UK where it successfully fulfilled the demand for the fast and efficient delivery of these vital materials.

MTI awards Scholarship

MTI has awarded Missouri University of Science and Technology student Jeremy Staats with its first annual Materials Technology Institute Scholarship.

India’s stainless trains

The rail authorities of Mumbai have now demanded for stainless steel coaches for suburban trains, similar to those being manufactured for the long-distance ones.

Super austenitic stainless steel 904L

Taiyuan Iron and Steel Co. has successfully smelted super austenitic stainless steel 904L, which is widely used in wastewater treatment, chemical industry, paper and other manufacturing industries.

Quality Stainless tubes

Quality Stainless (India) (QSPL) is an integrated manufacturer of welded stainless steel tubes/pipes from its own cold rolled stainless steel coils.

Corr MD data management tool

Corr MD, a data management and integration tool, is being released by CC Technologies (now DNV CCT), a DNV company, in cooperation with DCG Inc.

Duplex LNG road tankers

Spain-based INDOX has switched to duplex LDX 2101® in the outer hulls of tankers used to transport LNG.

Stip steel for flapper valve

New research by Sandvik's R & D organization has confirmed the benefits of using Sandvik Hiflex(tm) strip steel for the manufacture of flapper valves for compressors.

New stainless grades at Tube 2008

Sandvik will be showing examples of its comprehensive range of tubular and bar products at Tube 2008 (31 March – 4 April 2008, Dusseldorf, Germany).

Worldwide alloys distributor

Hart bv has been a distributor of heat & corrosion resistant materials for over 40 years, supplying nickel, Monel ®, Incoloy ®, Hastelloy ®, and titanium alloys globally to the chemical, petrochemical and offshore industries.


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.