There are various types or causes of corrosion which have different ways to prevent them. Therefore, it is important to identify what metals are corrosive, what is the corrosion type in concern and what is the most appropriate prevention measure to be taken against it.
Figuring out the metal and its vulnerability to corrosionIt is necessary to keep knowledge about the different metals and their vulnerability of corrosion so you can pay attention to places you has used the highly vulnerable metal for corrosion prevention. Once you have identified the causes of corrosion for the relevant metals, you can take measures to remove or avoid corrosion. One of the ways is replacing metal with alternatives, for example: Metal steps in a sewer access can be replaced to stormwater step irons as they are non-corrosive therefore less danger of the metal breaking off when the weight of a person is given on a corroded metal step. Prevent the metal’s surface from uniform corrosionUniform attack corrosion refers to when the whole metal starts corroding, and continues to corrode at a uniform rate. This can be prevented by separating the metal from the corroding agents. This can be done through painting, oil sealant, or electrochemical solution such as galvanized zinc coating. Prevent the metal’s surface from galvanic corrosion Galvanic corrosion takes places when 2 metals with different electrode potential are exposed to one another in the existence of an electrolyte such as seawater that makes an electric conducting path between the two metals. This can be prevented by stopping the ions flow from one metal to another. How? Coat the metals with a protective layer that halts the ion change between metals. Also, electrochemical solutions exist too, such as galvanization and anodizing. Prevent the metal’s surface from pitting corrosionThis corrosion is microscopic, it starts when the metal fails its defensive layer at a certain place and galvanic corrosion takes place. This makes a hole in the metal. Within this hole, the local environment becomes acidic and fastens up the process. This is usually prevented by applying coating to the metal surface or cathodic protection.
Prevent the metal’s surface from crevice corrosionThis type of corrosion occurs in spaces of a metal object where contact to air and fluid is poor. This type of corrosion can be found under screws, under barnacles, or in the hinges of industrial ladders or hinges of a door. In simple words, crevice corrosion occurs due to a design defect where the gap in the metal surface is wide enough to let the water/liquid enter but narrow to let the fluid escape, the fluids gather up and start corroding. This can only be prevented by minimizing the occurrence of tight gaps in metals in the design of the metal object such as a ladder.Prevent the metal’s surface from stress corrosionStress corrosion is rarely found in day to day use, and the prevention of it cannot be taken take by us, professional engineers need to look into that. It usually happens to building structures. Check out more here http://www.industrialsteps.com.