Microbiologically influenced corrosion environments

R. Javaherdashti, R.K. Raman Singh. Microbiologically influenced corrosion of stainless steels in marine environments A materials engineering approach. In the Proceedings of Engineering Materials 2001, The Institute of Materials Engineering, Australia, 2001. 

When considering the quality of a material, we also must consider the type of material (e.g., metal, resin, glass, or ceramic, etc.). In particular, metal materials exposed to different weather events may be oxidized and corroded. Here, I will focus on corrosion. Carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloys are considered metal materials, and these different types of steel may be chosen according to the purpose of the material and the environment in which the material will be used. However, changes in the environment will shorten the lifetime of the material, and the presence and activity of microorganisms can accelerate corrosion this process is called microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) [1-5]. Thus, when... 

In aqueous environments, microorganisms may influence the electrochemical environment and, consequently, corrosion rates and/or the susceptibility of metals to localized pitting corrosion in several ways. However, aU known cases of microbiologically influenced corrosion of metals can be attributed to known corrosion mechanisms, which are briefly summarized below. 

The ideal approach to prevent or minimize microbiologically influenced corrosion depends on many factors. These encompass the environment, where MIC occurred (e.g., soil, cooling water, seawater), the type of material damaged, as well as the type of microorganism involved. In practice, several different approaches are usually combined to increase their efficiency. Below, some of the most effective approaches are described briefly. Again, it should be stressed how important a proper identification of MIC and involved microbes is for the choice of effective countermeasures. 

A-10.2.1 Test Fluid (See Para. IP-10.7.1). Consideration should be given to susceptibility to microbiologi-cally influenced corrosion (MIC). This condition is especially prevalent in no-flow, high-moisture environments. Internal MIC may also depend on the characteristics of the treated or untreated test fluid. Internal MIC may be lessened or possibly eliminated by properly draining and drying systems and / or by proper selection of test fluid. 

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