Top down models that include corrosion damage into a larger scheme of operation are typically based on some simple subjective assessment schemes that do not permit reusability. The difficulties in recording corrosion data are an inherent character of the complexity of the variables involved. Corrosion failures typically occur over long service periods and their impact is often hidden in normal routine replacement operations. This paper reviews some of these top- down models used in critical industries before introducing a generic framework to bridge across
missing information gaps for the creation of robust knowledge based systems. Keywords: Information processing, corrosion models, knowledge reuse, corrosion management