Part 3—Underwater Corrosion of Ten Structural Steels Corrosion of Metals in Tropical Environments

Abstract

Abstract Corrosion of ten structural steels exposed to tropical sea and fresh waters has been evaluated following an eight-year exposure period. The severity of corrosion is compared between the natural tropical environments of sea water mean tide, and sea water and fresh water continuous immersion, and correlated with similar corrosion tests that have been made on the east and west coasts of the United States. Corrosion resistance for mild carbon steel is compared when exposed with millscale, pickled, and machined surfaces. Underwater corrosion rates are compared for unalloyed carbon steel, copper-bearing steel, steels containing small percentages of nickel and chromium, and proprietary low-alloy steels. A comprehensive evaluation of the measured and observed effects of corrosion is given for the ten steels following exposure in each of the tropical environments. 2.2.7