Industry Knowledge

Metal corrosion refers to the destruction of metals caused by the chemical action of environmental media, combined with physical, mechanical, or biological factors.

The damage of materials or structures caused by chemical or electrochemical reactions under atmospheric conditions is called atmospheric corrosion. Atmospheric corrosion is a common corrosion phenomenon.

The main components of the global atmosphere remain almost unchanged, and the moisture content will vary with geographical, seasonal, and temporal conditions. Oxygen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide are involved in the process of atmospheric corrosion. According to the different degrees of moisture on the metal surface, atmospheric corrosion is divided into three categories:

1) Dry atmospheric corrosion. Dry atmospheric corrosion is the corrosion that occurs on a metal surface in the absence of a liquid film layer. The characteristic is the formation of an invisible protective oxide film (1-10nm) on the metal surface and the phenomenon of certain metals losing their luster.

2) Corrosion caused by humid atmosphere. Tidal atmospheric corrosion refers to the corrosion of metals in an atmosphere with a relative humidity of less than 100%, where there is a thin liquid film layer (10nm~1 μ m) on the surface that is invisible to the naked eye. Even if iron is not exposed to rain, it will rust.

3) Corrosion in humid atmosphere. Wet atmospheric corrosion refers to the corrosion of metals that occurs when water splashes directly onto the metal surface in the form of rain, mist, water, etc. at a relative humidity of 100%, resulting in a visible water film (1 μ m~1mm) on the surface.

Methods to prevent atmospheric corrosion:

1) Adding Cu, P, Cr, Ni, and rare earth elements to carbon steel can improve its atmospheric corrosion resistance. For example, Cor Ten steel (Cu-P-Cr-Ni low-alloy steel) from the United States has 4-8 times higher atmospheric corrosion resistance than carbon steel.

In environments such as marine engineering, petrochemicals, and coastal facilities facing severe atmospheric corrosion (such as high salt spray and industrial pollution), it is even more necessary to rely on advanced alloy materials with stronger inherent corrosion resistance. Austenitic stainless steel (such as 316L), duplex stainless steel (such as 2205, 2507), and nickel based alloys (such as Inconel, Monel) can form a dense and stable passivation film on the surface through their internal elements of chromium, nickel, molybdenum, etc., fundamentally resisting the erosion of corrosive media. As a professional supplier specializing in these materials, MTSCO is committed to providing one-stop pipeline solutions for global customers. Our pipes, fittings, flanges and other products are designed to provide long-term and reliable corrosion protection in these harsh atmospheric environments, ensuring the safety and long-term operation of industrial facilities

2) Adopting organic and inorganic coatings as well as metal coatings.

3) Use gas-phase corrosion inhibitors.

4) Reduce atmospheric humidity, mainly used for the protection of stored metal products.

Although there are various anti-corrosion measures, choosing alloy materials with superior corrosion resistance is undoubtedly one of the most effective strategies to solve the problem from the source. MTSCO, with its profound accumulation in the fields of stainless steel, duplex steel, and nickel based alloys, and its "factory cluster" supply model, is not only a provider of high-quality corrosion-resistant pipeline products, but also a reliable partner for you to cope with harsh corrosion environments and build long-life industrial systems. We not only provide products, but also targeted anti-corrosion material solutions.