Rock wool is widely used in industrial piping systems for its excellent thermal insulation properties, but its porous structure allows water infiltration that can lead to corrosion under insulation (CUI) on metal pipe surfaces. In order to investigate how water infiltration into the insulated pipeline system creates a corrosive environment, a study on the flow behavior of fluids in porous media was conducted. Experiments were performed to measure the flow velocity and pressure drop along three principal directions—axial, radial, and circumferential. These measurements enabled the derivation of specific viscous and inertial resistance coefficients, which characterize the flow through the rock wool structure. The results indicated that the flow parameters of rock wool change over time and with repeated use, particularly after dry–wet cycles. The experimentally derived parameters were incorporated into both small-scale and large-scale three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to simulate water transport within the rock wool insulation layer. Validation experiments performed on a real rock wool-insulated pipeline system confirmed the predictive accuracy of the CFD simulations in capturing water movement through the insulation. The large-scale model further analyzed the influence of inlet velocity, rock wool aging, and pipeline inclination on the development of environmental conditions for CUI.

The corrosion of steel reinforcements substantially degrades the longevity of reinforced concrete structures, particularly in marine settings. This investigation introduces a comprehensive model that simulates the processes involved in moisture and chloride ion transport, rebar corrosion, and the consequent cracking of concrete. The model reveals that the transport dynamics of chloride ions are primarily dictated by their penetration rates through the solution. The sensitivity of the steel to corrosion is a function of the concentrations of water and chloride ions, whereas the rate of corrosion predominantly depends on the availability of oxygen at the corrosive site. Oxygen diffusion is the rate-limiting step in the entire process of the electrochemical reactions of the rebar. And the peak corrosion rates are observed at the interface between the solution and the gas phase. The model calculates the stress and strain in the concrete resulting from volumetric expansion due to oxidization of the steel bars. By accurately reproducing the progression of corrosion-related damage, this model provides crucial insights for predicting the service life of offshore concrete structures and enhancing durability against aggressive environmental conditions.

Atmospheric corrosion in sand dust environments is driven by deposits that bear chloride, which sustain thin electrolyte layers on metal surfaces. We established a laboratory protocol to replicate this by extracting, formulating, and depositing a preliminary layer of mixed salts from natural dust onto samples, with humidity precisely set using the salt’s deliquescence behavior. Degradation was tracked with SEM/EDS, 3D profilometry, XRD, and electrochemical analysis. Bare steel showed progressive yet decelerating attack as rust evolved from discrete islands to a lamellar network; while this densification limited transport, its internal cracks and interfacial gaps trapped chlorides, sustaining activity beneath the rust. In contrast, QPQ-treated steel remained largely protected, with damage localized at coating defects as raised rust nodules, while intact regions maintained low electrochemical activity. By coupling salt chemistries derived from the field with humidity control guided by deliquescence and diagnostics across multiple scales, this study provides a reproducible laboratory pathway to predict atmospheric corrosion.

The atmospheric corrosion behavior of 60Si2MnA spring steel was investigated in environments containing chloride (Cl ⁻ ) and sulfate (SO ₄ ²⁻ ). Bare steel specimens were exposed to controlled laboratory conditions that replicated key parameters of the target atmosphere. The deliquescence and weathering characteristics of the deposited salts were examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, while a custom-built salt deposition system was employed to conduct corrosion tests at constant temperature and humidity (20 °C/75 % RH and 40 °C/75 % RH) with a surface salt load of 10 g/m ² over varying exposure durations. Pronounced corrosion was observed under both temperature conditions. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the corrosion products were primarily composed of iron oxyhydroxides and iron oxides. Scanning electron microscopy combined with electrochemical analyses showed that, at early exposure stages, the rust layer exhibited abundant cracks and pores, allowing for the ingress of corrosive species. The initial corrosion products acted as strong oxidants, enhancing cathodic reactions and thus accelerating metal degradation. With increasing exposure time, the thickening of the rust layer provided partial protection, slightly improving the corrosion resistance. Elevated temperature was found to significantly accelerate both the corrosion rate and the evolution of corrosion products.