Pitting Corrosion is a fairly localized form of corrosion which is characterized by small holes, known as pits, forming in materials, most often metal piping. While these pits may be small on the surface, they can be larger underneath, potentially being more damaging than they appear. The materials that are most vulnerable to this type of corrosion include stainless steels, nickel alloys, and aluminum alloys.
This type of corrosion can be particularly dangerous to facilities due to multiple factors. One of the reasons is because the pits formed as a result of this mechanism are so small, they are fairly difficult to detect. Even more than that, the pits can be hidden from view by thin coatings or membranes. It can also cause damage to materials very rapidly, making it particularly insidious.
Pitting corrosion tends to be caused by environmental factors. It can be caused by certain corrosive materials such as chloride, hypochlorite, or bromide. Fluorides and iodides can also be harmful. The development of pitting can be sped up by the presence of water or sulfides in the environment. These chemicals cause anodic and cathodic reactions when in contact with certain metals which results in localized galvanic corrosion.
Thankfully there are several ways in which pitting can be mitigated and prevented. The best way to prevent pitting is construct your piping out of materials that are resistant to any pitting causing chemicals in the environment it will be working in. In general, higher alloys tend to be better at resisting pitting corrosion. If that isn’t possible, cathodic or anodic protection can also be used to prevent the chemical reactions that are occurring in the environment that cause pitting from affecting the pipes. Controlling the pH, chloride concentration, and temperature of the environment is another possible way to prevent pitting.
Related Topics
- Cathodic Protection
- Coatings
- Condition Monitoring Locations (CMLs)
- Corrosion Control Documents (CCDs)
- Damage Mechanisms
- Flue Gas Dew Point Corrosion
- Green Rot
- Positive Material Identification (PMI)
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