Steel • Moisture & Oxygen • Corrosion • Barrier Protection
Steel doesn’t need to be operating, moving or carrying a load to corrode.
When the conditions for corrosion are present, the electrochemical process can continue while equipment is running, sitting idle or completely shut down.
The clock doesn’t stop.
CORROSION IS AN ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESS
Rust isn’t simply dirt forming on steel.
Corrosion occurs through electrochemical reactions involving the metal and its surrounding environment.
Moisture acts as an electrolyte while oxygen participates in reactions that allow iron within the steel to oxidize.
The result is the gradual conversion of sound steel into corrosion products.
MOISTURE CREATES THE PATH
Water doesn’t have to arrive as standing water.
Humidity.
Condensation.
Rain.
Washdown.
Process water.
Chemical exposure.
Even relatively small amounts of moisture can establish conditions that support corrosion.
Add dissolved salts or certain chemicals and the environment can become considerably more aggressive.
CORROSION CAN CONTINUE OUT OF SIGHT
Visible rust tells only part of the story.
Corrosion can develop beneath equipment, around fasteners, inside pits, along seams and underneath coatings when moisture reaches the steel.
That means deterioration may continue in areas that aren’t immediately visible during normal operation.
Not seeing corrosion doesn’t necessarily mean corrosion isn’t occurring.
CORROSION CHANGES THE SURFACE
As steel oxidizes, corrosion products occupy greater volume and the original metal surface becomes increasingly irregular.
Pitting can develop.
Edges can deteriorate.
Sections can become thinner.
The longer aggressive conditions remain present, the more material can be affected.
BARRIER PROTECTION CHANGES THE ENVIRONMENT
A properly bonded protective coating creates a barrier between the steel and the environment surrounding it.
The objective is straightforward:
Separate the steel from the moisture, oxygen and aggressive chemicals that support the corrosion process.
Preparation establishes the surface.
Adhesion establishes the connection.
The coating establishes the barrier.
PROTECTION IS MEASURED YEARS LATER
A coating can look excellent immediately after application.
That isn’t the real test.
The real measure is how effectively the system continues protecting the substrate after exposure to moisture, chemicals, temperature changes and service conditions.
Corrosion doesn’t sleep. Protection shouldn’t either.