Corrosion Mechanism, Prediction and Control
The Group has world-leading expertise in the understanding of degradation processes, their prediction and control. These key issues remain central to the needs of industry, including aerospace, construction, chemical process and oil and gas exploration sectors. The aim is to provide a mechanistic understanding of corrosion control of engineering systems, to increase operational efficiency and environmental acceptability. Mechanistic predictive models, based on advanced characterisation and mathematical modelling, have been applied to large-scale systems and small-scale devices. Corrosion mechanisms in passive materials, e.g. stainless steel, have been elucidated from the atomic level to the macro-scale (pitting and stress corrosion of nuclear waste containers). Rationalisation of localised corrosion via the kinetics of reaction and transport in small cavities is a focus. Important industrial environments include hot pressurized water, sour gas, and alumina production fluids. The autoclave facility is being developed further with support from EPSRC and the power generation industry. Mechanistic studies of general corrosion and localized attack in CO2- and H2S-containing solutions, using electrochemical methods (e.g. impedance spectroscopy (EIS)) under controlled turbulent flow, provide the platform for numerical electrochemical models for the prediction of corrosion rate. The theoretical bases of modern electrochemical techniques for corrosion monitoring, especially EIS, harmonic analysis and electrochemical noise, are also being advanced. Corrosion inhibitor studies have shown that established mechanisms of inhibition are often invalid, and have highlighted the importance of electrochemical reactions in the formation of protective films. The studies combine electrochemistry with characterisation of the metal/solution interface and address performance and environmental criteria of end-users. Scientific approaches include in situ formation of polymeric or self-assembling films.
Currently active research areas include:
- Aqueous and Localized Corrosion
- Atmospheric Degradation of Materials
- Cathodic Protection
- Corrosion and Protection of Steel in Concrete
- Conservation of Artefacts and Buildings
- Corrosion Inhibition
- Corrosion Modelling
- Corrosion Monitoring and Testing
- Electronic Materials
- Corrosion Control in Light Metals
- Protective Coatings and Surface Treatments
- Stress Corrosion Cracking and Corrosion Fatigue
- High Resolution Electron Microscopy of Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracks
- Residual Stress Effects on Cleavage and Ductile Tearing