The main objective of MARINAL is to strengthen and extend the use of aluminium (Al) alloys in marine applications offering a throughout “green” solution. An important obstacle against extended use of Al in marine applications is the uncertainty about the corrosion properties. Marine and offshore design codes and standards are focused on steel and do not provide the necessary information on how to use Al. Therefore, Al is not even considered by marine engineers and designers. The focus of the project is therefore on fundamental studies of corrosion properties of standard Al alloys, including recycled alloys, in marine conditions and on the development of innovative environmentally friendly protection solutions.
Three specific technical challenges have been identified as crucial for increased use of Al in marine constructions, and receive attention in his project:
- Avoiding galvanic corrosion in joints between Al and other materials, C-steel and stainless steel in particular
- Improved understanding of specific corrosion mechanisms, i.e. (1) corrosion during wet-dry cyclic exposure in marine atmosphere and splash zones, (2) microbial induced corrosion, and (3) effect of temperature on corrosion in immersion conditions
- Establishing methods, processes and parameters for corrosion protection of Al in marine constructions, i.e. (1) cathodic protection when immersed in seawater and (2) blast cleaning and spray painting for exposure in atmosphere and splash zones
In addition, we estimate the climatic and environmental impact of increased use of Al in marine constructions compared to standard materials.
Results from the project will be disseminated through scientific publications, seminars and workshops. After the project, the results will be used to improve existing and devise new standards, specifications and recommended practices for using Al in marine constructions, providing marine engineers and designers with the necessary toolbox for safe and efficient use of Al.
Coordinator
Dr Ole Øystein Knudsen, SINTEF, Norway
Consortium
SINTEF Industry, Research institute, Norway
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Research institute, Germany
Norsk Hydro ASA, Large scale enterprise, Norway
Muehlhan AG, Large scale enterprise, Germany