CSWIP PLANT NSPECTOR LEVEL I WEEK 1

Section 11
An introduction to plant corrosion and degradation
Basic types of corrosion:
1. Chemical corrosion 2.Galvanic corrosion 3. Electrolytic corrosion
Electrolytic Intergranular
Chemical corrosion Galvanic corrosion Crevice corrosion Stress corrosion Erosion corrosion
corrosion corrosion
This is caused by This is caused by . It is sometimes This occurs between This is caused by a This is a form of Almost any
attack by chemical two or more referred to as ‘wet or close-fitting combination of local anodic attack at corrosion mechanism
compounds in a dissimilar metals in electrolytic’ surfaces. corrosive the grain boundaries is made worse if the
material’s contact in corrosion. Crevice faces where environment and of crystals due to material is subject to
environment. It is conducting It is similar to the a metal is restricted tensile loading. microscopic simultaneous
sometimes referred electrolyte. galvanic corrosion in from forming a Cracks resulting in difference in the corrosion and
to as ‘dry’ corrosion For examples: that it involves a protective oxide multiple branching metal structure and abrasion.
or oxidation. 1. Stainless steel trim potential difference layer. cracks. composition. Abrasion removes
causes anodic and an electrolyte Corrosion normally For examples: For examples: the protective
corrosion on carbon- but it does not have propagates in the 1. Failure in stainless 1. ‘Dezincification’ passive film that
steel automobile to have dissimilar form of pitting. steel pipes and of brass in sea water. forms on the surface
bodywork. materials. For examples: bellows in a 2. inter-granular of many metals,
2. Defective coating For examples: 1. Corrosion in chlorate-rich corrosion ‘weld exposing the
of tin on carbon –steel 1. General pitting crevice in seal welds. environment. decay’ underlying metal.
increase the corrosion 2. Pitting of castings 2. corrosion in lap 2. Corrosion of In un-stabilised An example is the
rate of steel. due to galvanic joints used in austenitic stainless stainless steel. so-called ‘island
The tendency of a action between fabricated steel pressure attack’ n the walls of
metal to become different parts of the components and vessels. pipes containing fast-
anodic or cathodic is crystals. vessels. flowing fluids and
governed by its 3. Corrosion of suspended solids.
position in the castings due to grain
electrochemical boundary corrosion.
series. This is only
accurate for pure
metals rather than
metallic compounds
and alloys.
Note that the galvanic
action often happens
on a microscopic
scale.

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