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 gear metering pumps

Pompe Cucchi has introduced new stainless-steel gear-metering pumps.

Texas water desalination project

Brownsville, Texas and the Rio Grande Valley will soon have access to another water source. The Southmost Regional Water Authority's desalination plant will convert 9.5 million gallons of salty groundwater into drinking every day.

Stainless steel road tanker

Nicrofer 3127 hMo, alloy 31, developed by ThyssenKrupp VDM GmbH, opens up new possibilities for the transportation and storage of hazardous substances such as sulphuric or nitric acid.

2nd Inox-Red Metallurgy Conference

The 2nd Inox-Red Metallurgy Conference took place at the Acerinox’s Factory in Campo de Gibraltar (Cádiz, Spain) on 26–28 March 2003 and more than 90 people attended it.

CMI Welding

Cockerill Mechanical Industries, based in Seraing, and Welding Services Inc., based in Atlanta-Norcross, USA, have joined forces to create “CMI Welding Services.â€?

Parker wins Snøhvit LNG contract

Parker Instrumentation has been awarded the contract to supply all the instrumentation components and sub-systems to the Snøhvit development, the world's northernmost liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

Stainless servo gearmotor keeps it clean

A servo gearmotor designed specifically for hygiene-critical environments in the food, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries has been introduced by Bayside Motion Group.

AstroCosmos appointment

Matthew J. Thayer has been promoted to North American Director of Sales & Technology at AstroCosmos Metallurgical, Camarillo, CA, USA.

Two-piece ball valve

Parker Instrumentation has launched a ball valve range made of 316 stainless steel.

Super duplex pumps

Weir Pumps has won a multi-million dollar contract to replace existing pumps at the Cantarell nitrogen generation complex located in Ciduad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico.


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.