The operating performance of thermal sprayed aluminum coatings has been well documented in seawater environments, with several applications being demonstrated. The performance of these coatings in saline muds has not been previously quantified, and this type of data is required for applications involving subsea piping systems. Four and twelve month exposure tests were conducted in natural Gulf of Mexico sea mud, and the performance of thermal sprayed aluminum coatings quantified in terms of their ability to adequately catholically protect various amounts of bare steel. Performance has been further quantified by determining their rate of corrosion and thus corresponding life in these environments.
Keywords: thermal sprayed aluminum, coatings, cathodic protection, subsea piping, corrosion control.