Corrosion Prevention

Abstract

Corrosion is a natural process, and thus, preservation of a material’s properties by preventing interaction of that material with its environment is an essential component of any engineering design consideration. This chapter will demonstrate how the three primary protective coatings, organic, inorganic, and metallic coatings, are used within industry to prevent initiation of corrosion and slow the progression of corrosion upon its commencement. Corrosion is a continuous process, and thus engineers must use discretion in selecting proper coatings based on the environment that a material and its coatings will endure throughout the system’s expected life cycle. Engineers must also use also understand the importance of design in preventing and controlling corrosion. Since corrosion is analogous to cancer throughout the manufacturing industry, the importance of preventing corrosion through proper coating and material selection is strongly emphasized over controlling corrosion once it’s surfaced.