Environmental factors contribute to the process of corrosion of material especially when the key elements are present such as oxygen or moisture, and results in a change of the surface and internal characteristics of the material. Corrosion may be visible by our naked eye, but sometimes invisible depending on whether the metal has been chemically altered or not. Common type of iron corrosion occurs when it is exposed to oxygen and water, which creates a red iron oxide commonly called rust.
The annual worldwide cost of metallic corrosion is estimated to be over $2 trillion, yet experts believe 25 - 30% could be prevented with proper corrosion protection. Poorly planned construction projects can lead to a corroded structure needing to be replaced, which is a waste of natural resources and contradictory to global concerns over sustainability.
TYPES OF CORROSION
Uniform Corrosion - most common form which appear evenly over large areas of a material’s surface.
Pitting Corrosion - most aggressive forms of corrosion causing cavities and holes, and very difficult to predict.
Crevice Corrosion - It occurs in areas where oxygen is restricted like under washers or bolt heads.
Intergranular Corrosion - occurs when impurities are present at the grain boundaries which form during solidification of an alloy.
Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) - cracking refers to the growth of cracks due to a corrosive environment which can lead to the failure of ductile metals when subjected to tensile stress, particularly at high temperatures.
Galvanic Corrosion - This form of corrosion occurs when two different types of metals with physical or electrical contact are immersed in a common electrolyte or when a metal is exposed to different concentrations of electrolyte.
HOW TO PREVENT CORROSION?
Several cost-effective ways to prevent:
1. Use of non-corrosive metals, such as stainless steel or aluminum
2. Keeping metal surface clean and dry.
3. Application of drying agents
4. Use of cathodic protection system
5. Application of coating such as grease, oil, paint or silicone anti-corrosion coating
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO AVOID CORROSION?
Silicone anti-corrosion coating
HOW TO APPLY ANTI-CORROSION COATING?
Silicone anti-corrosion coating is one of the most effective ways to prevent corrosion during the modern era. Silicone is not only elastic and resistant to the harshest weather conditions, it’s also really easy to use. It can be applied by spray, roller or brush, there is no need to mix it, dries fast and no primer is necessary.
Midsun IKM, based in Austria, specializes in producing ready-to-use one-part system coating, named Midsun Silprocoat to protect against corrosion and optimize the usage of equipment. Moreover, the product cures in less than 1 hour and will last more than 10 years in challenging environments. Midsun Silprocoat is a top-notch resistance to weathering, water and chemical substances – making it ideal to use in coastal, industrial and desert areas.
Corrosion can greatly lead to safety concerns, loss of life, additional indirect costs and damage to reputation to our generation, transmission and distribution system. Thus, effective means should be done to mitigate such results such as Midsun Silprocoat which has proven to be effective based on customer satisfaction.
Reference:
The Welding Institute (TWI). What is corrosion? - Definition and Prevention. https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-corrosion#CausesofCorrosion
Byjus learning. Rusting Iron Prevention. https://byjus.com/chemistry/rusting-iron-prevention/