THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PETROLATUM TAPES AND WRAPS ON CORROSION RATES IN A MARINE SERVICE ENVIRONMENT

摘要

Petrolatum tapes and wrap systems have long been used as a means of managing the corrosion of steel support piles in marine service environments, particularly within pile "splash zone" locations where accelerated low water corrosion (ALWC) has been identified a major issue. However, the efficacy of these systems on significantly reducing corrosion rates over time can be difficult to accurately quantify. The use of weight loss coupons placed under a petrolatum wrapping system is one means of quantifying the corrosion rate of steel by calculating the metal coupon weight loss over time. The corrosion morphology can also be defined over time. This data then becomes useful when compared to control coupons placed in the adjacent service environment without the protection of a wrapping system. Corrosion rates measured using the above methodology at a Western Australian outer harbour facilities suggest the corrosion rate of steel is significantly reduced with the application of petrolatum tape and wrap systems. However, the extent of the corrosion rate reduction is a function of variables such as the quality of materials used, the material application, the local environmental conditions and the occurrence of microbial influenced corrosion.