The 3.

2 MARINE ENVIRONMENTS
Corrosion resistance depends on the position of the metal with
respect to the sea. It can be immersed, semi-immersed or placed at
a certain level above the water. In each case, the environment is
different, depending on the exposure, and consequently, the
corrosion resistance of the metal may be different.
3.2.1 Exposure to marine atmosphere
This is the case of ships and equipment at the seaside. The metal is exposed to marine winds
that are more or less loaded with salt, to high marine humidity, and possibly to mould that
may develop on the metal. The corrosion resistance under these conditions has been
discussed in Part C.
3.2.2 Immersion in surface seawater
This is the case of hulls, buoys and supports of landing stages. The structure is immersed in a
few meters of very aerated water that is constantly being replaced because of the action of
waves and tides. When the structure is not floating, part of it is subject to immersion-
emersion cycles that correspond to the tides. This zone always corrodes more than the zones
that are immersed permanently.
3.2.3 Immersion in deep seawater
Certain physicochemical characteristics of seawater such as salinity, temperature and oxygen
concentration vary as a function of the immersion depth. This has been shown by
measurements taken in the Pacific Ocean off California between the surface and a depth of
2000 m (Figure D.3.1).
Certain equilibria are modified: for example, the precipitation of calcium carbonate does not
take place at a great depth (the metal is not covered by a scale film), which explains the
lesser corrosion resistance of certain metals and alloys in deep seawater.
The development of several applications at the sea bed level such as bathyscaphs, small
experimental submarines and submarine detection beacons has triggered studies of the
corrosion of metals in deep waters. Their results are reported below.
3.2.4 Immersion in deep waters
Several studies have been undertaken since 1965 to investigate the corrosion resistance of
aluminium up to a depth of 2000 m in the Pacific Ocean [14]. These tests have shown that the
corrosion resistance in deep waters is comparable to that observed at the surface. The forms
of corrosion are the same. Pitting depth on 5000 series alloys is of the same order of
magnitude whatever the depth [15]. On other alloys (3000 and 6000 series), it can be higher.
The role of oxygen has been put forward as an explanation for these differences.
More recent tests up to a depth of 5000 m in the Atlantic Ocean [16] and up to 3000 m in the
Indian Ocean [17] have shown that the corrosion resistance of aluminium does not depend on
the immersion depth. Several exploration devices have been made of aluminium such as
the Aluminaut made in 7079 T6 [18].
The presence of abundant deposits of organic or inorganic sediments could be expected to
have an influence on the corrosion resistance of certain metals and alloys, because of the
release of sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and ammonia as a consequence of the bacterial
decomposition of these sediments. Experience with supports of landing stages embedded in
the mud and in the sediments at the coast shows that the corrosion resistance of 5000 series
alloys is not significantly affected by this medium.

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