Factors Affecting Corrosion
P.S. Srikanth, Kingshuk Modak, Rajender Boddula, Ramyakrishna Pothu
Corrosion is a complex process that causes materials to deteriorate over time, resulting in significant economic and safety consequences. It occurs when a material reacts with its environment, leading to a loss of its properties and structure. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and air pollution play a crucial role, as do material-specific characteristics like chemical composition, surface finish, and porosity. Electrochemical reactions, mechanical stress, and crevices also contribute to corrosion. Furthermore, microorganisms can accelerate corrosion through biofilm formation. Understanding the interplay between these factors is essential for developing effective corrosion prevention strategies, including material selection, surface treatment, and environmental control. By mitigating corrosion, we can extend the lifespan of materials, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure public safety.
Keywords
Environmental Factors, Material Properties, Biofilms, Air Pollution
Published online 1/5/2026, 20 pages
Citation: P.S. Srikanth, Kingshuk Modak, Rajender Boddula, Ramyakrishna Pothu, Factors Affecting Corrosion, Materials Research Foundations, Vol. 188, pp 35-54, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903919-3
Part of the book on Advances in Corrosion Science and Surface Engineering
References
[1] P.R. Roberge, P. Eng. Corrosion engineering: McGraw-Hill New York, NY, USA.; 2008.
[2] G. Koch, M. Brongers, N. Thompson, Y. Virmani, J. Payer, Corrosion costs and preventive strategies in the United States, Publication No, FHWARD-01 (Washington, DC: FHWA. 156 (2002).
[3] D.A. Jones, Principles and prevention, Corrosion. 2 (1996) 168.
[4] L. Li, C.-Q. Li, M. Mahmoodian, Effect of applied stress on corrosion and mechanical properties of mild steel, Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. 31 (2019) 04018375. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002594
[5] T.W. Quadri, E.D. Akpan, L.O. Olasunkanmi, O.E. Fayemi, E.E. Ebenso. Fundamentals of corrosion chemistry. Environmentally Sustainable Corrosion Inhibitors: Elsevier; 2022. p. 25-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85405-4.00019-7
[6] E. Ghali, V.S. Sastri, M. Elboujdaini. Corrosion prevention and protection: practical solutions: John Wiley & Sons; 2007.
[7] M.F. McGuire. Stainless steels for design engineers: Asm International; 2008. https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.tb.ssde.9781627082860
[8] D.E. Talbot, J.D. Talbot. Corrosion science and technology: CRC press; 2018.
[9] A. Gruca, A brief review of microbial induced corrosion research, Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia Naturae. (2018). https://doi.org/10.24917/25438832.3.12
[10] P. Kritzer, N. Boukis, E. Dinjus, Factors controlling corrosion in high-temperature aqueous solutions: a contribution to the dissociation and solubility data influencing corrosion processes, The Journal of supercritical fluids. 15 (1999) 205-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(99)00009-1
[11] Z. Han, C. He, J. Lian, Y. Zhao, X. Chen, Effects of temperature on corrosion behaviour of 2205 duplex stainless steel in carbon dioxide-containing environments, International Journal of Electrochemical Science. 15 (2020) 3627-3645. https://doi.org/10.20964/2020.05.73
[12] A.R. Mendoza, F. Corvo, Outdoor and indoor atmospheric corrosion of non-ferrous metals, Corrosion science. 42 (2000) 1123-1147. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-938X(99)00135-3
[13] J.R. Davis. Corrosion: Understanding the basics: Asm International; 2000. https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.tb.cub.9781627082501
[14] Y. Cai, Y. Xu, Y. Zhao, X. Ma, Atmospheric corrosion prediction: a review, Corrosion Reviews. 38 (2020) 299-321. https://doi.org/10.1515/corrrev-2019-0100
[15] F. Qu, W. Li, W. Dong, V.W. Tam, T. Yu, Durability deterioration of concrete under marine environment from material to structure: A critical review, Journal of Building Engineering. 35 (2021) 102074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102074
[16] J. Rossum, Fundamentals of metallic corrosion in fresh water, CiteSeerX. 1983 (1983) 1-18.
[17] M. Wasim, S. Shoaib, N. Mubarak, Inamuddin, A.M. Asiri, Factors influencing corrosion of metal pipes in soils, Environmental Chemistry Letters. 16 (2018) 861-879. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-018-0731-x
[18] C.D. Taylor, B.M. Tossey, High temperature oxidation of corrosion resistant alloys from machine learning, npj Materials Degradation. 5 (2021) 38. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-021-00184-3
[19] B. Gleeson, High‐temperature corrosion of metallic alloys and coatings, Materials Science and Technology: A Comprehensive Treatment: Corrosion and Environmental Degradation, Volumes I+ II. 1 (2000) 173-228. https://doi.org/10.1002/9783527619306.ch14
[20] P. Huczkowski, N. Christiansen, V. Shemet, J. Piron-Abellan, L. Singheiser, W. Quadakkers, Oxidation induced lifetime limits of chromia forming ferritic interconnector steels. (2004). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1782925
[21] J. Barnes, G. Lai, Factors affecting the nitridation behavior of Fe-base, Ni-base, and Co-base alloys in pure nitrogen, Le Journal de Physique IV. 3 (1993) C9-167-C169-174. https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:1993915
[22] R. Pillai, A. Chyrkin, W.J. Quadakkers, Modeling in high temperature corrosion: a review and outlook, Oxidation of Metals. 96 (2021) 385-436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11085-021-10033-y
[23] K. Popova, T. Prošek, Corrosion monitoring in atmospheric conditions: a review, Metals. 12 (2022) 171. https://doi.org/10.3390/met12020171
[24] D.E. Klenam, M.O. Bodunrin, S. Akromah, E. Gikunoo, A. Andrews, F. McBagonluri, Ferrous materials degradation: characterisation of rust by colour-an overview, Corrosion Reviews. 39 (2021) 297-311. https://doi.org/10.1515/corrrev-2021-0005
[25] W. Zuo, X. Zhang, Y. Li, Review of flue gas acid dew-point and related low temperature corrosion, Journal of the Energy Institute. 93 (2020) 1666-1677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2020.02.004
[26] V. Kucera, E. Mattsson. Atmospheric corrosion. Corrosion mechanisms: CRC Press; 2020. p. 211-284.
[27] X. Chen, Z. Zhang, H. Zhang, H. Yan, F. Liu, S. Tu, Influence of air pollution factors on corrosion of metal equipment in transmission and transformation power stations, Atmosphere. 13 (2022) 1041. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13071041
[28] C.J. Lytle, M.A. Edwards, Phosphate Chemical Use for Sequestration, Scale Inhibition, and Corrosion Control, ACS ES&T Water. 3 (2023) 893-907. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.2c00570
[29] R. Bender, D. Féron, D. Mills, S. Ritter, R. Bäßler, D. Bettge, et al., Corrosion challenges towards a sustainable society, Materials and corrosion. 73 (2022) 1730-1751. https://doi.org/10.1002/maco.202213140
[30] R.E. Lobo, B. Guzmán, P.A. Orrillo, C.C. Domínguez, L.E. Jimenez, M.I. Torino. Corrosion: Basics, Adverse Effects and Its Mitigation. Sustainable Food Waste Management: Anti-corrosion Applications: Springer; 2024. p. 3-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-1160-4_1
[31] H.M. Hussein Farh, M.E.A. Ben Seghier, R. Taiwo, T. Zayed, Analysis and ranking of corrosion causes for water pipelines: a critical review, npj Clean Water. 6 (2023) 65. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-023-00275-5
[32] D.G. Enos, Atmospheric Corrosion in Marine Environments, LaQue’s Handbook of Marine Corrosion. (2022) 49-61. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119788867.ch3
[33] A. Zupanc, J. Install, M. Jereb, T. Repo, Sustainable and selective modern methods of noble metal recycling, Angewandte Chemie. 135 (2023) e202214453. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202214453
[34] G.-S. Peng, J. Huang, Y.-C. Gu, G.-S. Song, Self-corrosion, electrochemical and discharge behavior of commercial purity Al anode via Mn modification in Al-air battery, Rare Metals. 40 (2021) 3501-3511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-020-01687-9
[35] J.R. Xavier, Influence of surface modified mixed metal oxide nanoparticles on the electrochemical and mechanical properties of polyurethane matrix, Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering. 17 (2023) 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-022-2176-9
[36] S. Zehra, M. Mobin, R. Aslam. Corrosion prevention and protection methods. Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors: Elsevier; 2022. p. 13-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91176-4.00023-4
[37] Y. Huang, J. Zhang, F.-Z. Xuan, Y. Ma, Modeling and Prediction of Galvanic Corrosion for an Overlaying Welded Structure, Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance. (2023) 1-13.
[38] C. Dong, Y. Ji, X. Wei, A. Xu, D. Chen, N. Li, et al., Integrated computation of corrosion: Modelling, simulation and applications, Corrosion Communications. 2 (2021) 8-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corcom.2021.07.001
[39] A. Kosari, H. Zandbergen, F. Tichelaar, P. Visser, P. Taheri, H. Terryn, et al., In-situ nanoscopic observations of dealloying-driven local corrosion from surface initiation to in-depth propagation, Corrosion Science. 177 (2020) 108912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2020.108912
[40] Z. Chen, W. Lai, Y. Xu, G. Xie, W. Hou, P. Zhanchang, et al., Anodic oxidation of ciprofloxacin using different graphite felt anodes: kinetics and degradation pathways, Journal of Hazardous Materials. 405 (2021) 124262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124262
[41] B.E. Ibrahimi, J.V. Nardeli, L. Guo, An Overview of Corrosion, Sustainable Corrosion Inhibitors I: Fundamentals, Methodologies, and Industrial Applications. (2021) 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1021/bk-2021-1403.ch001
[42] H. Veselivska, V. Hvozdetskyi, M. Student, K.R. Zadorozhna, Y.V. Dzioba, The Influence of the Electrolyte Composition for Hard Anodizing of Aluminum on Corrosion Resistance of Synthesized Coatings, Materials Science. 59 (2023) 228-233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11003-024-00767-w
[43] D.-H. Xia, C.-M. Deng, D. Macdonald, S. Jamali, D. Mills, J.-L. Luo, et al., Electrochemical measurements used for assessment of corrosion and protection of metallic materials in the field: A critical review, Journal of Materials Science & Technology. 112 (2022) 151-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2021.11.004
[44] J.R. Scully, C.F. Glover, R.J. Santucci, | Electrochemical Tests. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1520/MNL202NDSUP20190036
[45] L. Yang. Techniques for corrosion monitoring: Woodhead Publishing; 2020.
[46] L. Fan, X. Shi, Techniques of corrosion monitoring of steel rebar in reinforced concrete structures: A review, Structural health monitoring. 21 (2022) 1879-1905. https://doi.org/10.1177/14759217211030911
[47] J. Aaziz, E.-A. Abdallah, Corrosion Processes and Strategies for Protection, Anti-Corrosive Nanomaterials: Design, Characterization, Mechanisms and Applications. (2023) 25. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003331124-3
[48] M. Sophocleous, J.K. Atkinson, A review of screen-printed silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) reference electrodes potentially suitable for environmental potentiometric sensors, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical. 267 (2017) 106-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2017.10.013
[49] R. Buchanan, E. Stansbury, Electrochemical corrosion, Handbook of environmental degradation of materials. 4 (2012) 87-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4377-3455-3.00004-3
[50] F.J. Ansuini, J.R. Dimond, Factors affecting the accuracy of reference electrodes, Materials performance. 33 (1994) 14-17. https://doi.org/10.5006/C1994-94323
[51] N. Perez, N. Perez, Electrochemical corrosion, Electrochemistry and corrosion science. (2016) 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24847-9_1
[52] F.-Y. Ma, Corrosive effects of chlorides on metals, Pitting corrosion. 294 (2012) 139-178.
[53] C.-Q. Li, W. Yang. Steel corrosion and degradation of its mechanical properties: CRC Press; 2021.
[54] H.J. Jun, J.K. Park, C.H. Bae, Factors affecting steel water-transmission pipe failure and pipe-failure mechanisms, Journal of Environmental Engineering. 146 (2020) 04020034. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001692
[55] X. Zhou, Z. Zhou, T. Wu, C. Li, Z. Li, Effects of non-viable microbial film on corrosion of pipeline steel in soil environment, Corrosion Communications. 3 (2021) 23-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corcom.2021.11.003
[56] M. Zhang, X. Li, J. Zhao, X. Han, C. Zhong, W. Hu, et al., Surface/interface engineering of noble-metals and transition metal-based compounds for electrocatalytic applications, Journal of Materials Science & Technology. 38 (2020) 221-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2019.07.040
[57] S.J. Price, R.B. Figueira, Corrosion protection systems and fatigue corrosion in offshore wind structures: current status and future perspectives, Coatings. 7 (2017) 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings7020025
[58] M. Sofian, M.B. Haq, D. Al Shehri, M.M. Rahman, N.S. Muhammed, A review on hydrogen blending in gas network: Insight into safety, corrosion, embrittlement, coatings and liners, and bibliometric analysis, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 60 (2024) 867-889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.02.166
[59] M. Elboujdaini, Challenges of Materials and Corrosion Management: Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) and Gaping in our Understanding of the Subject, Procedia Structural Integrity. 42 (2022) 1033-1039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2022.12.130
[60] S.K. Dhawan, H. Bhandari, G. Ruhi, B.M.S. Bisht, P. Sambyal. Corrosion Preventive Materials and Corrosion Testing: CRC Press; 2020. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315101217
[61] M. Rozana, A. Matsuda, G. Kawamura, W.K. Tan, Z. Lockman. Formation of Nanoporous α-Fe2O3 Thin Film as Photoanode by Anodic Oxidation on Iron. Two-Dimensional Nanostructures for Energy-Related Applications: CRC Press; 2017. p. 240-268. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315369877-9
[62] V.S. Saji, Temporary rust preventives-A retrospective, Progress in Organic Coatings. 140 (2020) 105511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2019.105511
[63] H. Tamura, The role of rusts in corrosion and corrosion protection of iron and steel, Corrosion Science. 50 (2008) 1872-1883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2008.03.008
[64] O. Oladijo, B. Obadele, A. Venter, L. Cornish, Investigation the effect of porosity on corrosion resistance and hardness of wc-co coatings on metal substrates. (2016).
[65] W. Xu, X. Lu, B. Zhang, C. Liu, S. Lv, S. Yang, et al., Effects of porosity on mechanical properties and corrosion resistances of PM-fabricated porous Ti-10Mo alloy, Metals. 8 (2018) 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/met8030188
[66] D. Yang, X. Kan, P. Gao, Y. Zhao, Y. Yin, Z. Zhao, et al., Influence of porosity on mechanical and corrosion properties of SLM 316L stainless steel, Applied Physics A. 128 (2022) 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-021-05118-z
[67] Z. Liu, T. Jackson, editors. Impact of Surface Finish on Carbon Steel Corrosion and Corrosion Inhibition by Chemicals in Carbon Dioxide Environment. NACE CORROSION; 2017: NACE. https://doi.org/10.5006/C2017-09175
[68] D. Dwivedi, K. Lepková, T. Becker, Carbon steel corrosion: a review of key surface properties and characterization methods, RSC advances. 7 (2017) 4580-4610. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA25094G
[69] E. Messinese, L. Casanova, L. Paterlini, F. Capelli, F. Bolzoni, M. Ormellese, et al., A comprehensive investigation on the effects of surface finishing on the resistance of stainless steel to localized corrosion, Metals. 12 (2022) 1751. https://doi.org/10.3390/met12101751
[70] R.N. Asma, P. Yuli, C. Mokhtar, Study on the effect of surface finish on corrosion of carbon steel in CO2 environment, Journal of Applied Sciences. 11 (2011) 2053-2057. https://doi.org/10.3923/jas.2011.2053.2057
[71] M. Hussain, T. Zhang, M. Chaudhry, I. Jamil, S. Kausar, I. Hussain, Review of prediction of stress corrosion cracking in gas pipelines using machine learning, Machines. 12 (2024) 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12010042
[72] B. Sun, D. Wang, X. Lu, D. Wan, D. Ponge, X. Zhang, Current challenges and opportunities toward understanding hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms in advanced high-strength steels: a review, Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters). 34 (2021) 741-754. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40195-021-01233-1
[73] W. Liu, L. Sun, Z. Li, M. Fujii, Y. Geng, L. Dong, et al., Trends and future challenges in hydrogen production and storage research, Environmental science and pollution research. 27 (2020) 31092-31104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09470-0
[74] K. Reza Kashyzadeh, N. Amiri, E. Maleki, O. Unal, A Critical Review on Improving the Fatigue Life and Corrosion Properties of Magnesium Alloys via the Technique of Adding Different Elements, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 11 (2023) 527. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11030527
[75] H.M. Irshad, I.U. Toor, H.M. Badr, M.A. Samad, Evaluating the Flow Accelerated Corrosion and Erosion-Corrosion Behavior of a Pipeline Grade Carbon Steel (AISI 1030) for Sustainable Operations, Sustainability. 14 (2022) 4819. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084819
[76] S. Dehgahi, A. Shahriari, A. Odeshi, M. Mohammadi, Influence of Ti Content on High Strain Rate Mechanical and Corrosion Behavior of Additively Manufactured Maraging Steels, Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance. 32 (2023) 1169-1184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-022-07166-9
[77] M. Bassis, A. Kotliar, R. Koltiar, T. Ron, A. Leon, A. Shirizly, et al., The effect of a slow strain rate on the stress corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel produced by the wire laser additive manufacturing process, Metals. 11 (2021) 1930. https://doi.org/10.3390/met11121930
[78] C. Zhang, M. Ran, Y. Wang, W. Zheng, Microstructural effects in the development of near-neutral pH stress corrosion cracks in pipelines, Materials. 15 (2022) 4372. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134372
[79] U. Martin, J. Ress, J. Bosch, D. Bastidas, Stress corrosion cracking mechanism of AISI 316LN stainless steel rebars in chloride contaminated concrete pore solution using the slow strain rate technique, Electrochimica Acta. 335 (2020) 135565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2019.135565
[80] D. Sun, D. Wang, L. Li, K. Gong, S. Ren, F. Xie, et al., Study on stress corrosion behavior and mechanism of X70 pipeline steel with the combined action of sulfate-reducing bacteria and constant load, Corrosion Science. 213 (2023) 110968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2023.110968
[81] P. Liu, Q.-H. Zhang, Y. Watanabe, T. Shoji, F.-H. Cao, A critical review of the recent advances in inclusion-triggered localized corrosion in steel, npj Materials Degradation. 6 (2022) 81. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-022-00294-6
[82] E.M. Costa, B.A. Dedavid, C.A. Santos, N.F. Lopes, C. Fraccaro, T. Pagartanidis, et al., Crevice corrosion on stainless steels in oil and gas industry: A review of techniques for evaluation, critical environmental factors and dissolved oxygen, Engineering Failure Analysis. 144 (2023) 106955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2022.106955
[83] Y. Hu, H. Zhang, H. Zhang, M. Ouyang, Y. Hu, L. Wang, et al., Crevice Corrosion Behavior of Stainless Steels in a Flue Gas Desulfurization Environment, Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance. 32 (2023) 10567-10581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-023-07888-4
[84] N. Larché, D. Thierry, C. Leballeur, E. Diler, editors. Crevice Corrosion of High-Grade Stainless Steels in Seawater: A Comparison Between Temperate and Tropical Locations. AMPP CORROSION; 2022: AMPP. https://doi.org/10.5006/C2022-17828
[85] B.J. Little, J.S. Lee, Microbiologically influenced corrosion: an update, International Materials Reviews. 59 (2014) 384-393. https://doi.org/10.1179/1743280414Y.0000000035
[86] H.-C. Flemming, J. Wingender, The biofilm matrix, Nature reviews microbiology. 8 (2010) 623-633. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2415
[87] Y. Ma, Y. Zhang, R. Zhang, F. Guan, B. Hou, J. Duan, Microbiologically influenced corrosion of marine steels within the interaction between steel and biofilms: a brief view, Applied microbiology and biotechnology. 104 (2020) 515-525. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-019-10184-8
