It is widely believed that stainless steel, whether it’s used in the oil and gas, construction or mining sectors, is impervious to corrosion. However, according to experts, there are several instances in which stainless steel can corrode, requiring additional treatments and maintenance.
According to Rajeev Daswani, managing director of Marami Metal Plating, a stainless steel alloy typically has high percentages of certain metals that create an oxide film that protects it from corrosion. However, if the steel is used in a harsh enough environment, this film can break down, allowing corrosion to set in and rust to form.
Pitting corrosion, the most common problem stainless steel faces, can be especially problematic.
“With pitting corrosion, the passive layer on stainless steel can be attacked by certain chemicals in a high solidity area,” Daswani wrote. “The chloride ion commonly found in everyday materials such as salt and bleach once in the air due to evaporation, inhibits the passivation process leaving stainless steel vulnerable to corrosion.”
According to Canadian newspaper Maclean’s, understanding how to ward off corrosion in the energy sector will be especially important as more companies explore ocean-floor oil rigs. As oil companies continue to head to harsh environments, many are developing metals resistant to the elements.
This will make environment-specific metals testing extremely important in the years ahead.