Corrosion Challenges for Steel in Extreme Weather: Key Findings

As explored in ScienceDirect’s article, “Atmospheric Corrosion of Carbon and Galvanized Steel Under High Rainfall Conditions,” a study analyzed the corrosion behavior of carbon and galvanized steel in high-rainfall environments, particularly in Colombia’s Chocó department. The research focused on pollutant contamination, atmospheric aggressiveness, and metal degradation over an 18-month period across three different locations: Quibdó, Andagoya, and Bahía Solano.

Findings revealed that high precipitation levels significantly accelerate corrosion by influencing time of wetness (TOW) and pollutant exposure. Carbon steel exhibited an initial formation of hematite, which later transitioned to lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH)—a phase known to trigger active corrosion. Meanwhile, galvanized steel formed zincite (ZnO) as part of its corrosion products. The Quibdó region, in particular, showed higher corrosion rates than previously reported studies, highlighting the critical role of environmental conditions in metal degradation.

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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of ScienceDirect — https://www.sciencedirect.com