Structural steel is attacked from many angles, fast changes in the atmosphere due to weather is one of the biggest challenges facing steel.

Luckily, in many modern and even historical projects, this is a challenge that can be faced at the outset of design and production. In fact, some of the very first largely pure iron structures such as the Coalbrookdale bridge have survived weather changes for 200 years.

Corrosion Of Structual Steel: Prevention And Considerations

Recognising the level of corrosion in the environment in which a metal is to be used is the key to preventing disasters.

High performance treatments of the alloy or consistent maintenance may be required in some circumstances.

The design of a large structure will influence its ability to withstand corrosive environments as much as post-building treatments.

Avoidance Of Corrosion

Examples of the considerations in structural design include:

• The ability to easily access and apply the required maintenance and alloy treatments to the structure – sometimes this includes over night maintenance.
• Elements within the structure to help with drainage issues Eg. Heavy rainfall that is not drained away quickly will cause more wearing than rain water that can fall from the building fast.
• Places in which a structure may catch debris must be considered to avoid debris build up that will, overtime, effect the steel on which it sits.

General advice on the correct application of steel and steel used for structural projects can be found in BS EN ISO 12944-3.

The BSI Group offer advice on design considerations and the use of protective materials to be used on external areas of a steel structure.

Corrosion Resistance For Industrial Environments

Waverley Brownall manufacture instrumentation for industrial environments in special metals to provide the highest corrosion resistance possible.

Our fittings and valves are used in some of the most extreme environments in terms of atmosphere, temperature and acidity. This includes chemical processing plants, nuclear generation and the petroleum industry.

Because of these incredibly corrosive situations, the alloys we use in our manufacturing need to possess the highest performance possible.

Some of these special metals include: Monel alloy 400, Hastelloy C276, Titanium and Incoloy 825.

Even our standard material, 316 stainless steel is suitable for a number of environments within oil and gas and pipeline structures.

Corrosion resistant metals for fittings and valves are available to order from Waverley Brownall today.

For any questions or requests, please contact us on: enquiries@waverleybrownall.co.uk