Covid-19: effect of disinfection on corrosion of surfaces

Abstract

In suspected cases of COVID-19 infection, the World Health Organization has recommended the thorough cleaning of surfaces and the application of commonly used hospital-level disinfectants are effective procedures. The new virus situation has changed the sanitary habits of industries and this will potentially have anadverse effect on surfaces highly exposed to disinfectants that are often chlorinated. Therefore, the corrosion community should be concerned if the sudden increased use of disinfectants on certain surfaces would alter their corrosion rate/mechanism in the short-medium term. This technical note also provides recommendations for forfuture studies to face these urgent surface challenges.