MARINE CORROSION:
              CAUSES AND PREVENTION (2 days) 

Course Objectives   
Course Contents
Who Should Attend
Course Lecturer

Created in July 1995 last updated 20 May 2003

COURSE OBJECTIVE

This course aims to provide the participants with a thorough understanding of the causes of corrosion in the marine environments and the technical know-how of corrosion prevention. Upon completion of the course the participants will be able to

1. identify different forms of corrosion,
2. analyze the root causes of common corrosion failures,
3. select appropriate materials for applications in the marine environments,
4. specify and apply proper protection methods against marine corrosion.

[Back to top]

COURSE CONTENTS

The course systematically and thoroughly covers the causes of marine corrosion and the practice of corrosion control and prevention. Following is a tentative outline:

1. Corrosion and the marine industry  
2. Terminology and Conventions
   corrosion, classification of corrosion, unit of measurement for corrosion, pH, potential, potential-pH diagram, passivation, anode, cathode, corrosion cell, EMF series, active metal, noble metal, galvanic series etc.
3. Why metals corrode
   • the natural habits of metals and alloys
   • the role of environments
   • the law of nature
4. How corrosion occurs in the marine environments
   • the reaction of a metal with electrolyte
   • the electrochemical nature of corrosion
     • the reaction of a metal with its environment,
     • the mixed potential theory,
     • polarisation and corrosion rate,
     • potential-pH diagram,
     • passivation and its breakdown
   • the characteristics of marine environments
     • corrosivity of seawater,
     • corrosivity of marine atmospheres
   • factors affecting marine corrosion
     • salinity, chlorinity, temperature, dissolved gases, velocity, pH, pollutants, biological organisms, relative humidity, airborne contaminants etc.
   • common forms of marine corrosion
     • uniform corrosion,
     • galvanic corrosion,
     • dealloying,
     • crevice corrosion,
     • pitting corrosion,
     • weld decay,
     • stress corrosion cracking,
     • hydrogen related damages,
     • biofouling etc.
   • corrosion resistance of steels and alloys in the marine environments
5. How to control and prevent corrosion
   • materials selection for corrosion prevention
   • design against corrosion
   • theory and practice of cathodic protection
   • theory and practice of corrosion inhibitors
   • theory and practice of metallic coatings
     • metal spray,
     • hot-dip coatings,
     • conversion coatings (anodizing, chromating and phosphating),
     • electroplating,
     • electroless plating,
     • immersion plating.
   • theory and practice of organic coatings
     • composition and characteristics of paints,
     • types of paints,
     • paint failures
   • theory and practice of plastic coatings
   • theory and practice of concrete coatings
6. Corrosion testing and monitoring  

[Back to top]

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course has been structured in such a way that it is particularly suited for the technologists, engineers, technical service and maintenance personnel who are concerned with corrosion in the marine environments (seawater, marine atmospheres) and wish to gain an overall knowledge of corrosion and corrosion control. It is also suited for persons without previous training or experience, who wish to begin a career in this field.

Return to List of Courses