Atmospheric corrosion rates are recognized to depend on the deposition rates of corrosives, such as salt aerosols, and pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, as well as the relative humidity. The corrosivity at three Canadian Forces bases (CFB Greenwood, CFB Kingston and CFB Esquimalt) was measured with CLIMAT coupons on a monthly basis. Even though these bases are at opposite ends of Canada, each had a maximum corrosivity in the winter and a minimum corrosivity in the summer. This trend was consistent with the average speed of winds that were associated with a relative humidity greater than 90%. The range of corrosivity near a de-iced road in CFB Kingston during the winter was from moderate marine to severe marine. The patina in the coupons exposed at CFB Kingston during the winter contained elements that could be associated with de-icing salts, such as chloride, as well as sulfur, which is associated with the air pollutant sulfur dioxide. The patina on the coupons exposed at CFB Greenwood during the summer contained sulfur and the patina on the coupons exposed at CFB Esquimalt during the summer contained chloride. Hence corrosion coupons can function as passive monitoring systems for pollutants as well as indicate corrosivity.
Keywords: atmospheric corrosivity, patina, pollutants, corrosives, CLIMAT coupons