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.

TC4 alloy contains 6% α- and 4% β-phase stable elemen

Titanium and titanium alloys are widely used in aerospace, automotive, chemical and marine industries due to their low density, high specific strength and good corrosion resistance.

Upitis honored with Founding Committee Award by ASTM

Elmar Upitis, an engineering consultant, was honored with the Founding Committee Award by ASTM International’s committee on steel, stainless steel and related alloys (A01).

ATI wins $45M supply contract for deepwater pipeline

Allegheny Technologies Incorporated has been selected to supply the nickel-based flat-rolled products for a large oil pipeline project in South America.

Zero colour titanium welds with PurgEye Desk

Titanium is a reactive metal, so when heated it will react with surrounding oxygen, discolour and lose its corrosion resistance properties.

Titanium equipment and alloy in petrochemical industry

Titanium and titanium alloys have very good stability in organic compounds except for five organic acids (formic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and trifluoroacetic acid) at higher temperatures.

Frames to supply 2 desalters to MOL Duna Refinery

Frames have been awarded a contract to supply two desalters (electrostatic coalescers) to leading Hungarian oil and gas company MOL Group for the Duna Refinery at Százhalombatta near Budapest.

India needs alternative for sustainable infrastructure

The tragic Mumbai CST foot-over-bridge collapse has once again brought the country’s aging civic infrastructure in the light.

Serpentine to acquire Keyhole TIG Limited

Serpentine Technologies Limited (Serpentine) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding term sheet to acquire 100% of Keyhole TIG Limited (K - TIG).

Tungsten-based alloy valuable for magnetic fusion

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory recently developed a new tungsten-based alloy that can resist exceptional amounts of radiation without any damage.

The welding of SAF 2507 steel for nuclear power plants

Most nuclear power plants in the world use sea water as its cooling medium; seawater is the most corrosive medium in the natural environment which are prone to produce pitting for common stainless steel 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.