SEDL / STP / STP1239-EB / STP14916S

Atmospheric Corrosion of Bolted Lap Joints Made of Weathering Steel

Knotkova, D
Senior research scientist, research scientist, National Institute for Protection of Material (SVUOM),

Vlckova, J
Senior research scientist, research scientist, National Institute for Protection of Material (SVUOM),

Pages: 23    Published: Jan 1995

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Abstract

For certain types of steel structures the application of weathering steels is especially suitable. These are electrical transmission towers, masts, bridges and other structures, used in outdoor exposure, where brown color is appreciated and no maintenance is necessary.

Proposals for the use of weathering steels for various types of steel structures are based mainly on the results of field corrosion tests (outdoor and under sheds) in which a significantly higher corrosion resistence of weathering steels as compared to that of plain carbon structural steel, has been proved in the atmospheres of low or medium aggressivness.

At bolted joints of certain design exposed to a more corrosive environment, significant defects were found in the crevices which cause even deformation of the joints. After dismantling and pickling, these phenomena were quantified. Recommendations were prepared to minimize these corrosion effects, and also possibilities were considered of increasing the lifetime of structures already affected by crevice corrosion.