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.

A-LOK tube fittings

BP, Barnstaple, UK, is standardising on Parker Instrumentation’s A-LOK tube fittings for the construction of the Greater Plutonio FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading) vessel that will be used in the Block 18 Angola oil field.

Machine vision copes with harsh usage

The first UK demonstration of the stainless steel Extreme Environment Legend XE camera will take place at IPOT (16/17 February, Hall 12, NEC Birmingham, UK.

Stainless steel "nest"

Centro Inox, the Italian stainless-steel society, has been working on the Nido ("nest") project, the purpose of which is to design a safer two-seater car.

Stainless corrosion handbook

Outokumpu Stainless has published the 9th edition of the Corrosion Handbook.

Submarine protection

Arc Energy Resources has recently completed the weld overlay cladding of hull penetrator inserts destined for the UK’s Royal Navy’s new Astute class submarine.

New capability for air service

TLV Corporation is announces that its DR20 (Direct-acting Reducing Valve) is now available for air service.

Deepwater duplex

Sandvik Materials Technology states that its newly developed duplex stainless steel tube grades are providing the ultra-high strength and corrosion resistance needed for the wellhead control systems for today’s enhanced oil and gas recovery methods.

BUTTING wins order from Talisman

At the end of 2004 BUTTING received a major order to supply more than 54,000 metres of mechanically bonded BUTTING-Bimetal pipes (BuBi®-pipes) for Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd’s Tweedsmuir project.

Cable tie installation is plain sailing

Panduit has supplied new Super Heavy stainless steel cable ties and tension controlled tooling to Relay SW for installation on Royal Navy surface vessels.

Fabricating austenitic

An on-line slide presentation (with accompanying audio) has been launched by the Nickel Institute.


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.