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.

Taiwan power project

ATI Allegheny Ludlum will supply specialty metals for a reactor building service-water piping system at a power plant in Taiwan.

Integral diaphragm sensor

Gems Sensors’ new 1700/1701 range of integral diaphragm sensor features an integral diaphragm made of AISI 316 stainless steel.

Solving spring cracking

Sandvik Materials Technology's duplex stainless steel grade, Sandvik SAF 2205, is being used for wire springs in electrical contact systems on railway locomotives.

Gas spring with corrosion resistance

Stabilus, the designer and manufacturer of gas springs and hydraulic vibration dampers, introduces the Lift-O-Mat INOX stainless steel gas springs for a variety of industries, including marine, medical, food processing, RV's, kitchens and more.

New vertical high-pressure pump

The new Movitec high-pressure pumps from KSB Aktien-gesellschaft, Frankenthal, represent the next stage of technical development for the Movichrom series.

Stainless in auto manufacture

Austenitic stainless steel, which are well known for their excellent corrosion resistance, also exhibit a combination of outstanding characteristics, which make them particularly attractive in the automotive field.

Stainless steel bellows sealed valves

Spirax Sarco has produced two PN40 flanged bellows sealed valves that, it claims, offer low maintenance costs for hygienic applications that demand non-corrosive equipment, for food, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Right-angle gearbox resists corrosion

Tol-O-Matic's new corrosion-resistant (CR) version of the Slide-Rite universal right-angle gearbox is designed to meet the demands of harsh, potentially corrosive industrial environments.

Extra-heavy SS cable ties

Panduit has announced the launch of what it claims are its strongest ever, labour-saving stainless steel ball-locking cable ties.

Flowell wins approvals

Flowell International (Bousval, Belgium) announces that it has been approved by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.


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.