Corrosion-Resistant Materials for Ocean Structures: Innovations, Mechanisms, and Applications

Abstract

Offshore structures such as platforms, pipelines, the hulls of ships, wind turbine foundations, etc., are constantly subjected to harsh seawater environments with high salinity, changes in temperature, humidity, biological activity, etc. These conditions promote corrosion and jeopardize the service, safety and service life. In this study, recent developments in ocean materials for corrosion resistance are extensively reviewed. It classifies corrosion-resistant materials as metal alloys, nanocomposites, and nanostructured hybrid materials and discusses their performance, mechanisms of protection, and applications in the field. It treats high-performance materials such as stainless steels, Ni-based alloys, and Ti alloys, polymers and composites, ceramics, or evenbio-inspired coatings. A comprehensive study including corrosion failure mechanisms, such as pitting, crevice, galvanic, microbiologically influenced, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), is provided to present a comprehensive view of the necessary selection of materials and corrosion control practices. Concurrently, the review presents protective technologies such as cathodic protection systems, anodizing, passivation, thermal spray coatings, as well as emerging ones such as plasma electrolytic oxidation and self-healing smart coatings. Advanced high entropy alloys, graphene barriers and additive manufacturing are stressed as they have the potential to disrupt marine corrosion protection. However, issues such as long-term performance verification, cost-performance ratio for optimal design, compatibility with on-line monitoring systems, and compliance with environmental standard still remain unsolved. The paper highlights significant research gaps and potential future directions in AI-enabled material design, green coatings, and development of digital corrosion management systems. In the end, this book is a great resource for engineers, researchers, and policymakers involved in the development of durable, efficient and ecologically friendly marine infrastructure.