Corrosion protection of steel
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JAKOB ALBERTSEN KOMPOSIT A/S
Corrosion protection of steel
Steel is one of the most widely used construction materials in industry, but it is also particularly vulnerable to corrosion, especially in humid and aggressive environments. Corrosion protection of steel is therefore essential to ensure a long service life and minimal maintenance of critical structures.
Corrosion mechanisms in steel
Corrosion of steel occurs primarily through an electrochemical process where iron reacts with oxygen and water to form rust (iron oxide). The process is accelerated in environments with high salt content, chemical contaminants and temperature fluctuations. Specific challenges for steel structures include:
- Atmospheric corrosion – occurs through exposure to moisture and air pollution.
- Condensation corrosion – in enclosed spaces with high humidity.
- Immersion corrosion – occurs through constant immersion in water or chemicals.
Galvanic corrosion – occurs when steel comes into contact with more noble metals in an electrolytic environment.
JAKOB ALBERTSEN KOMPOSIT A/S
Effective methods for corrosion protection of steel
To protect steel from corrosion, a combination of surface treatment, coating systems and cathodic protection is used.
1. Surface preparation
Proper surface preparation is essential for optimal adhesion of protective coatings and prevention of corrosion. The most commonly used methods are:
- Sandblasting (Sa 2½ – ISO 8501-1): Removes rust, oxides and contaminants and creates a rough surface for better adhesion of coatings.
- Sponge-Jet blasting on sensitive areas.
2. Protective coating systems
Applying a corrosion protection coating is the most widely used method to extend the life of steel structures. The most effective systems include:
- Zinc-rich primers: (zinc epoxy or zinc silicate) provide active cathodic protection, where the zinc sacrifices itself instead of the steel.
- Epoxy coatings: Chemically resistant and mechanically strong coatings, suitable for industrial and offshore environments.
- Polyurethane and polysiloxane topcoats: Protects against UV degradation, moisture and aggressive atmospheric influences.
- Fusion Bonded Epoxy coating, chemical-resistant coating for use in particularly aggressive environments.
3. Cathodic protection of steel
In environments with high corrosion risk, such as offshore and underwater installations, cathodic protection can be used to neutralize the corrosion process:
- Sacrificial anodes (galvanic protection): Aluminum, zinc or magnesium anodes protect the steel by sacrificing themselves instead.
- Impressed current systems (ICCP): A controlled electrical current is applied to prevent corrosion of the steel.
JAKOB ALBERTSEN KOMPOSIT A/S
Corrosion protection of steel according to ISO 12944
ISO 12944 defines corrosion protection of steel structures and specifies requirements for coating systems based on the corrosion class of the environment (C1-CX). In particularly aggressive environments, such as C5M (maritime environments) and CX (extreme offshore environments), high-performance coating systems with a total layer thickness of 240-500 µm are required, depending on the desired service life.
At Jakob Albertsen Komposit A/S we offer ISO 12944 certified corrosion protection solutions that ensure the durability of steel structures in the most demanding environments. Contact us for advice and tailored solutions for your project.
Corrosion protection of aluminum
Aluminum is known for its natural corrosion resistance, but in certain environments the material can still be vulnerable to corrosion attack. To ensure long life and optimal performance, targeted corrosion protection is required, especially in aggressive industrial, marine and chemical environments.
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Contact us today for competent sparring and advice on your assignment.
JAKOB ALBERTSEN KOMPOSIT A/S
Contact us for advice on tank coating
Do you need professional tank coating in Denmark or internationally? We are ready to provide technical advice, assessment of your tanks and a non-binding offer. You can contact us by calling +45 62 20 20 58 or sending an email to mail@jakob-albertsen.dk .
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Three ISO standards and international accreditations ensure stable, documented quality.
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The combination of historical expertise and modern technology provides technically strong special solutions.
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