Composites have seen increased usage for reinforcement of metallic structures in structural, marine,
and underground conditions. While the mechanical properties of composites have been investigated
extensively, the performance of the entire metal-composite system has not been addressed with regard
to corrosion of the substrate, water intrusion at the composite-metal interface, and adhesion loss on the
metal surface or within the composite itself. In this work we have investigated the influence of corrosive
environments on the performance of composite repair systems with specific case studies on pipelines.
The influence of impacts and holidays has been studied for cathodically protected substrates. The
testing program provides insight concerning the effects of cathodic shielding, long term immersion, and
soil corrosivity. By monitoring variables related to potential and conductivity of the electrolyte, the
performance of these materials is studied. Loss of adhesion and integrity in the composite-metal
system is studied to inform users about long term performance and reliability.
Keywords: composites, carbon fiber, glass fiber, disbondment, composite repair