Evaluating the Effects of Corrosion on Structural Materials-A Study of Plain Carbon and High Strength Low Alloy Steels

A variety of high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels have been corrosion tested and compared with plain carbon steel. No highly significant differences were found in their uniform corrosion rates. However, reductions in tensile load carrying ability were proportionally greater for the higher strength steels, and ductility losses increased as the initial thickness of the steel decreased. As a result, corrosion prevention can be more important for structures made from HSLA steels, particularly when use of a HSLA steel has resulted in designs with reduced material thickness.