Impact of climate change on corrosion risks

Abstract

According to most pundits on the topic, climate change will have a serious impact on many aspects of our life on the planet. At the onset it is not obvious how most of the predicted changes will take their toll on the integrity of the equipment and systems presently in use. This paper will examine three aspects of climate change that may alter the corrosive behaviour of the environment and increase the risk of corrosion failures: changes in precipitation patterns, corrosivity of coastal regions, and increased stresses on marine systems.

An assessment of climate change effects on atmospheric corrosion rates of steel structures

“…Recently, Cole and Paterson 3 and Roberge 4 have reviewed and discussed possible impacts that climate change may have on the corrosion. It was argued that it is currently not possible or very difficult to quantify the effects of climate change on atmospheric corrosion.…”

Investigating the Effects of Climate Change on Material Properties and Structural Performance

“…There have been a number of reviews and discussions on possible impacts that climate change may have on corrosion of metals (Cole & Paterson 2010, Roberge 2010, Kumar and Imam 2013. The loss of material due to corrosion is the most significant effect on structural steel members because of the reduction in cross section thicknesses leading to loss of structural resistance and stiffness.…”

Assessment of marine and fluvial corrosion of steel and aluminium

“…11 Furthermore, recently the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), London published a special issue of its journal which brings together papers examining climate change induced corrosion. 12 Roberge 13 reports on three aspects of the effect of climate change: corrosivity at coastal regions; increased stress on marine systems; and pluvial precipitation pattern that may change the corrosive behaviour of the environment and increase the risk of corrosion failures. Measurements are presented of coastal erosion and corrosion and flooding of the British coasts.…”

“…Corrosivity maps for 2000 and 2100 illustrate the present and future situation. 13 Hydro-energy facilities such as dams, canals, aqueducts and hydroelectric stations are supplied by river water. The extreme events of climate change -torrential rains and flooding, wet and dry seasons, high and low humidity -all impact on the engineering materials of the hydraulic infrastructure.…”