What is Corrosion?

Corrosion is generally described as the deterioration of
metal due to an electrochemical reaction. If physical attack
accompanies corrosion, the deterioration may be described
as corrosion fatigue, corrosion-erosion, corrosive wear, etc.

The Cost of Corrosion

Numerous studies have estimated that the cost of corrosion for industrialized
nations of the world is 3 to 4% of their gross domestic product. This cost is usually
taken as the direct costs to replace corroded goods (e.g., structures, machines,
electronics, etc.), control corrosion (e.g., application of coatings, cathodic protection
systems, etc.), and use corrosion resistant-materials when ordinary carbon steel has
sufficient mechanical properties, but insufficient corrosion resistance. A recent study in the
USA estimated the cost of corrosion to be $276 billion/year.

Corrosion Affects Everyone

Corrosion is ubiquitous and affects communities; industries; local, state and federal governments; and all branches of the military. Corrosion degrades the infrastructure, power plants, automobiles, aircrafts, electronics, and just about any structure, machine or device containing metal components.

 

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Copyright © 2007 Hawaii Corrosion Laboratory