Corrosion and biofouling characteristics of mild steel in mandapam waters

The corrosion and biofouling characteristics of mild steel were investigated in the waters of the Mandapam coast of India oiver a year's time. Field exposure and laboratory studies were conducted. Corrosion rates were measured by gravimetric and Tafel polarizaiton. Algae and bamacies were the dominant fouling species. Corrosion products were analyzed by x-ray diffraction and surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of micro- and macro-fouling on the corrosion rate was investigated. The annual corrosion rate of mild steel was 0.152 mmpy with a fouling lood of 0.89 kg/m 2 .