How Do Metal Ships Don’t Rust?

maritime industry It has to deal with metal corrosion. High salt and moisture levels make ships highly vulnerable to corrosion. So, how do they find a solution to this situation?

The metal used in ships weakens over time structural problems There are precautions taken to prevent this from happening.

Let’s start by explaining what corrosion is and why it is important.

Corrosion is the interaction of metals with their environment. by chemical reaction is the process of degradation. Derived from the Latin word ‘corrodere’, this term means ‘to break into pieces’.

Metals used in the maritime industry corrode rapidly, especially when in contact with salt water. This situation, structural integrity of the ship may cause safety issues and costly repairs.

So how are ships protected from corrosion?

Some features are added during the design phase to extend the life of the ship and ensure its safety. For example, to ensure easy drainage of water from decks and wells Appropriate drainage systems are placed.

Where different metals come together to prevent galvanic corrosion insulation is applied. Insulation is also used to prevent thermal fatigue.

Special paints applied to the surfaces of ships create a barrier between the metal surface and the corrosive environment. Coatings reduce the possibility of corrosion by preventing water and salt from coming into contact with the metal surface. Epoxy, polyurethane and zinc rich coatings It is one of the most commonly used coating types.

We should not forget cathodic protection.

cathodic protection, realized using sacrificial anodes It is a method. Sacrificial anodes are more anodic than the metal to be protected and therefore corrode themselves rather than the metal of the ship.

Galvanic cathodic protection is achieved through the use of sacrificial anodes bonded to the metal to be protected. A second method, stimulated current cathodic protection, is to protect the metal surface Uses an external power supply.

Made in ship design improvements, coatings, cathodic protection and corrosion inhibitors ensure that ships remain rust-free even in the harsh conditions of seawater.

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