Immersion Tests

Abstract

As you have seen in Chap. 11, adhesion of microorganisms is one factor of corrosion or deterioration of the ship and marine structure. Biofilm formation and adhesion of microorganisms cause microbiologically influenced corrosion (Li et al., Corros Rev 31:73–84, 2013). Service life of the marine structure which is composed of steel is shortened due to MIC. Biofilm formation also causes the adhesion of fouling organisms, including barnacles and oysters (Dobretsov et al., Biofouling 29:423–441, 2013). Fuel consumption of a ship is increased by adhesion of fouling organisms (Nagato et al., J Shimonoseki Univ Fish 41:167–168, 1993; Murakami, J Jpn Inst Mar Eng 46:40–45, 2011). On the other hand, the service life of the ship is reduced by adhesion of fouling organisms. Degradation of various structures is accelerated by the attachment of microorganisms and fouling organisms (Luciana et al., Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 63:607–614, 2009). The performance and durability of machines are also markedly reduced by adhesion of various organisms. Therefore, evaluation and observation of the adhesion behavior of the microorganisms and fouling organisms on the surface of each material in a real environment is very important for solving industrial biofilm problems. In this chapter, I outlined a typical immersion testing method. In addition, I also introduced the typical results of several immersion tests.