New check-list for control of corrosion

Citation

(2002), "New check-list for control of corrosion", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 54 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.2002.01854ead.010

New check-list for control of corrosion

New check-list for control of corrosionKeywords: Corrosion, Coatings

Corrosion can cause problems that not only affect a company's profitability but also have a negative impact on the environment and can affect safety. Careful consideration at the design stage of any component or system can dramatically reduce the chance that corrosion will become a problem. This is best carried out using a systematic approach and to help this process a check-list has been produced in the form of a pocket-sized booklet. The material in the booklet, which was written by John Newman of Lithgow Associates, is arranged such that users are quickly guided through each aspect of corrosion control and reminded of the need to consider the potential problems. Solutions are suggested, best practice highlighted and sources of further information referenced.

Bimetallic corrosion can affect any device or structure when two different metals are in contact with each other under certain conditions. When this happens, one of the metals corrodes much more quickly than expected with often disastrous consequences. The coupling of metals is now commonplace, when different materials need to be used together and when similar materials are fastened. The National Corrosion Service (NCS) has produced a guide that provides guidance on how the problems can be avoided and the factors which need to be considered in controlling this type of corrosion.

Structural steel needs to be protected from corrosion especially in areas of high, localised pollution or marine atmospheres. The National Corrosion Service has produced a guide on coatings for the protection of structural steelwork. The guide, written by Roger Hudson of Corus, provides information on the use and selection of paint systems and is available from the National Corrosion Service. The guide is complemented by a second guide titled Surface Preparation for Coating.

For further information and advice or to order publications, please contact the National Corrosion Service, The National Physical Laboratory, Queen's Road, Teddington, TW1 0LW, UK. Tel: +44 20 8943 6142 or E-mail: isabelle.clarke@npl.co.uk