The Albany Research Center is conducting atmospheric corrosion research in coastal environments to improve the performance of materials in the Nation’s infrastructure. The corrosion of bare metals, and of painted, thermal-sprayed, and galvanized steels are presented for one-year exposures at sites located on bridges and utility poles along the Oregon coast. The effects of microclimates (for example distance from the ocean, high wind zones, and salt-fog prone regions) are examined in conjunction with sample orientation and sheltered/unsheltered comparisons. An atmospheric corrosion lmodel examines the growth and dissolution of corrosion product layers to arrive at a steady-state thickness and corrosion rate.
Keywords: atmospheric corrosion, microclimate, chloride, corrosion model, copper, steel, zinc, paints, thermal-spray, dry deposition, wet deposition, corrosion film.