Periodic table

Corrosion engineering consultant

Corrosion Doctors site map

Alphabetical index of the Corrosion Doctors Web site

Selection of inspection points

The selection of inspection points is of paramount importance as corrosion factors to be considered in a corrosion maintenance program are often related to the geometry of systems and components. Selection of inspection points should be based on a thorough knowledge of process conditions, materials of construction, geometry of the system, external factors and historical records.

An example where an industrial concern is translated into an inspection program is with the loss of plant profitability due to production losses associated with boiler tube failures. Under-deposit corrosion in steam generating systems is caused or enhanced by the breakdown and/or inability to form a protective magnetite film. Production losses resulting from reduced steam capacity are far greater then the actual repair and maintenance costs incurred during shutdowns. The major contributors to the formation of deposits and scale are: