Investigation of the Cost of Corrosion, Risk Assessment Methodologies and Procedures for Minimising Corrosion Costs

Contact: Dr Richard Holman

The cost of corrosion to the national economy, highlighted originally by the Hoar Report some thirty years ago, is still a significant concern to industry as we begin the new Millennium.

As part of a major suite of research projects [Degradation of Materials in Aggressive Environments Programme (DME) 1998 - 2001], the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) awarded a project to the Paint Research Association (PRA) to look again at corrosion losses in a changing industrial landscape.

In the project, PRA collaborated with the Institute of Materials (IoM) to achieve the following three objectives:

  • To estimate the cost of corrosion
  • To identify and disseminate procedures for minimising corrosion costs through improved design, material selection and protective coatings
  • To establish the risk assessment methodologies which make best use of resources

Information was gathered primarily from the following five industry sectors:

  • Chemical/petrochemical production and associated plant and equipment
  • The food and drink industry and associated plant and equipment
  • Offshore fabrications and equipment supplied by vendors
  • Constructional steelwork
  • Automotive OEM manufacture and associated components

This sectoral approach ensured relevance and focus in a field encompassing diverse corrosive environments.

The findings from this study are embodied in five Practical Sectoral Guides. Each guide highlights specific control strategies and good practice.

These five guides are available to purchase from PRA (priced £25.00 each, or £100.00 for the set of five). They cover:

  • Corrosion and Associated Costs in the UK Chemicals and Petrochemicals Sector;
  • Corrosion and Associated Costs in the UK Offshore Sector;
  • Corrosion and Associated Costs in the UK Automotive OEM Sector;
  • Corrosion and Associated Costs in the UK Food and Drink Sector;
  • Corrosion and Associated Costs in the UK Constructional Steelwork Sector.

To order your copies of these guides, please complete the on-line order form, or contact Dr Richard Holman.