A common problem that corrosion engineering for water storage tanks seeks to solve is that of waterline corrosion and how it affects different materials.

It is an additional issue that corrosion engineers must notice, as it is a slightly different type of decomposition affecting storage vessels of all types.

Only through the understanding of waterline corrosion and how it happens can corrosion engineering services determine how to prevent it and prescribe effective protective methods for different tanks.

What Is Waterline Corrosion?

Corrosion engineers identify waterline corrosion as decomposition that occurs at the water line in storage vessels made of metal, plastic, and other materials.

It is a significant problem with metal vessels especially and corrosion engineering services find that due to how it occurs, it can be more prominent than the overall corrosion that different materials may be subjected to.

Why and How Does Waterline Corrosion Happen?

Corrosion at the waterline of liquid storage vessels happens due to a chemical reaction between the water or liquid in the tank and the oxygen in the air.

Corrosion engineering research finds that it is the difference in the oxygen in the atmosphere versus in the water or liquid that creates this reaction.

Because the atmosphere contains more oxygen which corrodes metal and other materials and the liquid within the vessel contains less oxygen, the metal above the waterline becomes a cathode.

The submerged metal below the waterline becomes an anode.

Together, the cathodic reaction between the two causes oxidation at the water line.

Waterline corrosion is an issue that corrosion engineers combat in multiple industries which include water storage tank design and construction, marine structures, and even shipbuilding.

It is the reason why rust and other deterioration appear at the waterline along the insides of water storage vessels and why they end up with rings of corrosion that mark various water levels as time goes on.

How Does Corrosion Engineering Approach The Issue of Waterline Corrosion?

The focus of corrosion engineering services is always to find a viable way to prevent the corrosion of different metals and preserve the integrity of vessels that experience waterline corrosion and other types of decomposition due to oxidation.

The two most effective ways that corrosion engineering recommends for dealing with waterline problems are cathode protection and the application of protective coatings, both designed to reduce the effect of oxygen on the metal.

Cathode protection works using an anode and a source of electricity to change positive electrons in the water into negative ones, eliminating the cathode-anode oxidative reaction.

Depending on the metal and its susceptibility to oxidation, one or both of these solutions might be recommended.

Corrosion Engineers Can Help Control Costly Corrosion

A prime focus of corrosion engineering is addressing metal corrosion and finding newer, more effective ways to reduce it.

Beyond the obvious issue of overall water tank corrosion, corrosion engineers must also address waterline corrosion, which is prevalent due to the direct chemical reaction between atmospheric oxygen and submerged metal.

Owners of water storage tanks made of metal are encouraged to work with highly experienced corrosion engineering services when seeking solutions for reducing these issues and the costly repairs that may become necessary.

Opting instead for good maintenance that includes a preferred corrosion prevention method is more cost-effective.