Corrosion
• It is the deterioration of a metal as a result of chemical reactions between
it and the surrounding environment.
• There is a natural tendency for nearly all metals to react with their
environment. The result of this reaction is the creation of a corrosion
product that is generally a substance of very similar chemical composition
to the original mineral from which the metal was produced.
Corrosion Triangle:
• For corrosion to proceed there must be an anode, a cathode and an
electrolyte, joined by an external current circuit.
• However, for marine considerations, the corrosion triangle comprises of
metal (corrosion susceptible material), Air (source of oxygen for
oxidation) and Sea Water (electrolyte for conduction of current).
Types of corrosion
i. Atmospheric corrosion
ii. Corrosion due to immersion
[Link] (galvanic) corrosion
i. Atmospheric corrosion: is the corrosion of metal surfaces because
of their exposure to humid atmospheric conditions. The oxidation of
the metal in direct contact with the atmospheric oxygen leads to
corrosion of the surface.
• Protection against atmospheric corrosion is important during
the construction of a ship, both on the building berth and in
the shops. Serious rusting may occur where the relative humidity is
above about 70%; the atmosphere in many shipyards is unfortunately
sufficiently humid to permit atmospheric corrosion throughout most
of the year. However, even in humid atmospheres the rate of rusting
is determined mainly by the pollution of the air through smoke and/or
sea salts.
SRAVAN KUMAR SUDABATHULA MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA
ii. Corrosion due to immersion
• When a ship is in service the bottom area is completely immersed
and the waterline or boot topping region may be intermittently
immersed in sea water. A steel hull in this environment can provide
ideal conditions for the formation of electrochemical corrosion cells
• Under normal operating conditions a great deal of care is required to
prevent excessive corrosion of these portions of the hull.
iii. Bimetallic (galvanic) corrosion
• Although it is true to say that all corrosion is basically galvanic; the
term ‘galvanic corrosion’ is usually applied when two different
metals form a corrosion cell. Many ship corrosion problems are
associated with the coupling of metallic parts of different potential,
which consequently form corrosion cells under service conditions.
The corrosion rates of metals and alloys in sea water have been
extensively investigated and as a result galvanic series of metals and
alloys in seawater have been obtained.
SRAVAN KUMAR SUDABATHULA MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA
Corrosion Preventive Method
Cathodic Protection Method: This method is used for control of
corrosion of metallic structures immersed in soil (or) any conducting
solution.
Principle: The metal to be protected is forced to behave like a cathode
as a result it escapes from corrosion.
These are classified into two types of cathodic protection method:
i. Sacrificial Anodic Protection method
ii. Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) method
SRAVAN KUMAR SUDABATHULA MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA
Levels for Reactive metals
i. Sacrificial Anodic Protection method
i. The metal structure to be protected is made cathode by connecting
it to a more active (Anodic) metal through a insulated copper wire.
ii. As a result, corrosion occurs at anodic metal and the metal structure
is saved from corrosion.
iii. The active meals used for this purpose are called “Sacrificial
Anodes”.
Ex: Mg, Zn, Al
iv. The sacrificial anodes are replaced time-to-time as they destroy.
Applications:
v. For protection of marine structures and ship hull.
vi. For protection of water boilers and water tanks.
vii. For protection of buried pipelines and under ground cables.
SRAVAN KUMAR SUDABATHULA MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA
ii. Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) method
i. The metal structure to be protected is made cathode by connecting it to
the negative terminal of a DC source.
ii. The positive terminal of DC source is connected to inert anode like
graphite.
iii. As a result the electrons will flow to the metal structure, there by it act
as cathode and escapes from corrosion.
iv. How much current to be given to inert anode
If more current is given (paint from the ship’s hull gets vanished)
If less current is given (only less ship’s hull area is protected)
v. We are supplying current by using 2 ways
Automatic
Manual
Based on 4 Factors:
a) Speed of vessel
b) Wetted surface area
c) Salinity
Applications:
i. For protection of transmission line towers.
ii. For protection of marine structures and ship hull.
iii. For protection of water boilers and water tanks.
iv. For protection of buried pipelines and under ground cables.
SRAVAN KUMAR SUDABATHULA MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA
Continued
Advantages:
• These systems are claimed to be more flexible and has a longer life.
• It reduces hull maintenance.
• It weigh less than the sacrificial anode system.
Disadvantages:
• Initial cost is high.
SRAVAN KUMAR SUDABATHULA MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA
