Corrosion Science Chemistry Research Article | Page 9

The Effects and Economic Impact of Corrosion
9
Where corrosion damage is anticipated, design can provide for maxi-
mum interchangeability of critical components and standardization of
components. Interchangeability and part standardization reduce the in-
ventory of parts required. Maintenance and repair can be anticipated, and
easy access can be provided. Furthermore, for the large items that are
critical to the entire operation, such as primary pumps or large fans,
redundant equipment is installed to permit maintenance on one unit
while the other is operating. These practices are a sampling of rational
design principles.
Opportunities in Corrosion Control
The massive costs of corrosion provide many opportunities to users,
manufacturers, and suppliers. Opportunities exist to reduce corrosion
costs and the risks of failure, and to develop new, expanded markets.
Examples of these opportunities and the means to implement a program
to capitalize on the opportunities are presented in Table 1.
The costs of corrosion vary considerably from industry to industry;
however, substantial savings are achievable in most industries. The first
step in any cost-reduction program is to identify and quantify the pres-
ent costs of corrosion. Based on this analysis and a review of the present
status of corrosion control in the industry, priorities can be determined
and the most rewarding cost-reduction projects pursued.
Risk of corrosion failure can be lowered in the producer’s facility and
in its products. Both process and products can be analyzed to identify the
areas where corrosion failures can occur. Once identified, the risk of
failure can be evaluated from the perspectives of impact on safety, prod-
uct liability, avoidance of regulation, and loss of goodwill. Where risks
Table 1 Opportunities in corrosion control
Opportunity
Reduce corrosion costs
Lower risk of failure
Examples
Lower maintenance and repair costs
Extended useful lives of equipment
and buildings
Reduction of product loss from
corrosion damage
Safety
Product liability
Avoidance of regulation
Loss of goodwill
Develop new and expanded markets Coatings
Alloys
Inhibitors
Corrosion monitors
Implementation
Identify all corosion costs by
review of total processes,
equipment, and buildings
Quantify corrosion costs
Implement plan to reduce costs
Review process and products
for exposure to risk
Evaluate risk and consequences
of failure
Lower exposure by technology
change
Apply emerging technology
Develop competitive advantage
by more corrosion-resistant
product
Transfer existing technology to
other industries