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Estimating Time to First Signs of Corrosion

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Stoker

Mechanical
Feb 21, 2001
204
I have been tasked with investigating the "time to corrosion" of a new product which is currently in development. This unit will be enclosed by a sheetmetal cabinet and will be located outdoors. Previous units have been made of powdercoated cold-rolled steel but we have seen corrosion problems in installations in coastal areas.

Does anyone know of any references which correlate salt-spray testing (or other corrosion testing) with the "time to corrosion"? In other words, test "A" equals "B" years of service using material "C" with finishing "D"? I need to provide some documentation which supports that the combination of material and finish which is selected will last for the life of the product (15-20 years).
 
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The short answer to your question is no. Accelerated corrosion tests do not correlate well with real world resistance to corrosion. I would suggest that you examine various components in costal areas that have a known history of satisfactory corrosion resistance and build on that. Paint manufacturers should be able to provide some guidance as to film thickness and pre-treatment options that would get you in the ballpark.
 
You can hire consultants, such as LaQue ( ) to help you with this. They have decades of experience with coastal exposure and lab testing.
Lab testing will be very good at helping you rank various materials options. If you have real experience with some of them then maybe you will have an idea of the time scale.

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