One of the risks of metal products is corrosion. There are 10 primary forms of corrosion that can occur, and it is rare for a corroding structure to suffer from just one. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent your metal products from corroding beyond repair or functionality.
Use an anticorrosion coating
Anticorrosion coating is the best way to prevent excessive rusting on metal products. It is often a part of the manufacturing process, so it can be difficult to know why type, and how much of the protective paint coating was actually used. Really, the only way to know exactly how much anticorrosion coating was used is to be a part of the manufacturing process. Larger commercial businesses, for example, might have control over the process as they have the largest inventory being produced.
Keep your products out of the water
Metal tends to corrode faster when water is present. Many people make the mistake of leaving their items outdoors. With rain, snow, and excess humidity, this can be a problem. Some types of metal are also more prone to corroding and even a small amount of a water element can wreak havoc. If you must leave your products outdoors, make sure they have a strong industrial coating on them.
Use a corrosion inhibitor
Sometimes, corrosion inhibitors can be added to the initial melt product. When metal is being formed into the specific product, it is first melted and then shaped. Adding a corrosion inhibitor acts like an anticorrosion coating, except that it works from the inside. The five major industries using corrosion inhibitors are oil and gas exploration and production, petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, heavy manufacturing, and water treatment. These are all industries where corrosion can be especially damaging. If corrosive properties, for example, make it into the water supply, it can result in a toxic water supply to the community.
Remove corrosion when identified
Despite the best anticorrosion coatings, corrosion can still occur. Leaving it be is the best way for it to quickly spread, eventually taking over the entire product. Blasting abrasives can remove corrosion and stop it from spreading. Just be careful that you are blasting with the appropriate products, as you don?t want to also remove the tank coating that includes the anticorrosion products. However, it is best to prevent corrosion from occurring, as removing corrosion is a much more expensive task.
Replacing your corroded materials
If corrosion gets bad enough, it is important to replace the product. The corrosion can eventually cause the product to be less efficient or can be toxic, such as in the water case. Avoid using products that are over corroded. Additionally, you run the risk of operator injury or causing problems with the final product. When you get your new product, make sure it is properly protected and keep up with hand washing and proper storage practices.
The market size of epoxy based anti corrosion coatings including epoxy flooring in the U.S. is projected to reach 1.02 billion U.S. dollars in 2025. More and more people are learning about the advantages of using a protective coating. Although it might cost to properly protect, the cost is more affordable than having to replace a metal product that is completely corroded.
