A new interpretation of the corrosion loss processes for weathering steels in marine atmospheres

Most available data sets for the long-term corrosion loss of various grades of weathering steel exposed to marine atmospheric environments are demonstrated to be consistent with the multi-phase corrosion model previously proposed for steels exposed to marine environments. This means that the early corrosion of weathering steels by oxidation is gradually inhibited by the build-up of corrosion products. These produce anoxic and sub-oxic conditions that may permit microbiological activity to govern the longer-term corrosion loss process. This new interpretation for the long-term corrosion of weathering steels may have implications for the design of such steels.