Assessment of the Emerging Technologies for the Detection and Measurement of Corrosion Wastage of Coated Marine Structures

Abstract

The application of a resistant coating on ships, offshore structures and pipelines is the primary prevention method of corrosion wastage in the marine industries. To guarantee coating integrity and to be able to thoroughly survey for corrosion wastage on marine structures, new advanced nondestructive methods are being sought. The requirements of convenient and rapid determination of corrosion wastage on coated structures, even in the difficult spatial positions of the structure, will require advanced technologies which are being developed for other industries that also require very high structural integrity. A review of the developments in electromagnetic wave (advanced microwave and eddy current practices) sensors, in elastic wave (advanced ultrasonic practices) sensors, in time-resolved thermography (thermal imaging), in electrochemical sensors and in other emerging analytical techniques is presented. Each of the identified emerging technologies was assessed based on a set of requirements necessary to be an acceptable marine corrosion wastage testing tool. This technology review and assessment include the use of both active and passive sensors and monitors, and the use of sensor arrays. The state of development and availability of the most promising technologies will be described.