Case Studies in Corrosion Failures

Failures and incidents are inevitable.

Although it may seem like a cliché, this statement is reiterated because the gravity of its impact cannot be overstated. Failures have been occurring since the beginning of the industrial revolution, particularly in fields that involve the use of metals across various sectors such as oil and gas, refineries, automotive, manufacturing, marine-maritime, naval, infrastructure, aerospace, aviation, and construction, to name a few.

When failures and incidents occur, corrosion almost always emerges as the primary culprit for failures, whether they are minor or major. Major incidents, naturally, magnify the consequences and have a significant impact on health, safety, and the environment (HSE), as well as other factors such as:

Workplace injuries or fatalitiesEnvironmental pollutionProperty and equipment damageProduction downtimeLegal repercussionsReputational harmEconomical losses

To prevent failures and their associated problems, it is crucial for engineers and technicians worldwide to share their experiences and the identified root causes for failures. Collaborative efforts can help raise awareness and prompt organizations to take necessary precautions and implement corrosion control measures, thereby reducing the likelihood of catastrophic failures while ensuring the integrity of assets.

This comprehensive resource will be useful to not just investigate failures in different industrial sectors, it will delve into diverse types of corrosion failures, such as internal corrosion, coatings and linings, cathodic protection, microbial-induced corrosion (MIC), erosion corrosion and environmentally assisted cracking (EAC), among others.   

It is one thing to understand a failure in isolation and quite another to see it as part of a broader pattern across industries. As readers engage with the content, they will build a robust understanding that will empower them to confront corrosion challenges with a well-informed and technical approach. This knowledge will be instrumental in safeguarding and ensuring the integrity of essential assets across industries.