What are the most common issues with rust or corrosion in coastal environments?

Coastal environments pose significant challenges for metal structures due to their high exposure to saltwater, humidity, and airborne salts. The most common rust and corrosion issues in these areas include:

1. Accelerated Oxidation: Saltwater dramatically speeds up the oxidation process, causing metals to rust much faster than inland environments.

2. Galvanic Corrosion: When dissimilar metals come into contact in saltwater, it creates an electrochemical reaction that rapidly deteriorates the more reactive metal.

3. Pitting Corrosion: Concentrated attacks on small metal areas create deep pits that compromise structural integrity while often remaining invisible until significant damage occurs.

4. Stress Corrosion Cracking: The combination of salt exposure and mechanical stress leads to catastrophic cracking in susceptible alloys like stainless steel.

5. Uniform Corrosion: The entire metal surface gradually degrades when constantly exposed to salt spray and moisture.

Preventive measures include using corrosion-resistant alloys, applying protective coatings, implementing cathodic protection systems, and maintaining regular cleaning schedules. Understanding these coastal corrosion mechanisms is crucial for anyone maintaining structures in marine environments.