The Corrosion Threat A Common Problem Greatly Under Recognized By Professional Engineers, Property Owners, Building Managers, plant Operators, and Design Engineers The corrosion of steel piping and its related components is a continuous and virtually unstoppable process. The end product, which is commonly referred to as rust, is simply the result of an electrochemical reaction through which the higher energy processed metal is slowly reverted back to its naturally occurring form – metal ore. According to NACE, the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, corrosion losses in the United States alone are $275 billion annually. And the problem is accelerating. In fact, the United States military categorizes corrosion as the 2nd most destructive force acting against its entire structural and mechanical inventory after warfare. Even with the proper application of available countermeasures, the estimated cost for replacing corroded piping systems in the United States alone stands well in excess of $75 billion annually – making corrosion one of the most potentially damaging losses to any commercial, private, or industrial property next only to fire. The financial impact of all metal corrosion on a worldwide…
