The use of corrosion protection measures to extend the service life of lifting equipment in a marine environment
Francois Strydom A * and Ben Burgess BA McKinnon Chain, Vereeniging, Gauteng, South Africa.
B William Hackett Lifting Products, Alnwick, Northumberland, UK.
The APPEA Journal 62 S182-S186 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21034
Accepted: 1 April 2022 Published: 13 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
Lifting operations in marine environments pose several challenges of which corrosion and embrittlement of steel components are some of the most important ones from a material property perspective. Corrosion reactions are not only damaging to the surface of the components which can lead to stress raisers and a reduced service life but can also promote hydrogen embrittlement (HE), especially on components that operate in the splash zone. Early warning signs of product failures related to corrosion/embrittlement are almost impossible to detect during normal inspections, and catastrophic failures can result suddenly and without warning. The overarching causes of and preventative measures associated with HE have been identified. However, the positive effects of corrosion protection and an evaluation of the technologies that are available to equipment manufacturers are also important factors to be considered. This paper considers the use of corrosion protection measures and the evolution of those technologies which act as a deterrent against HE, extend the service life of steel alloy lifting equipment, reduce potentially harmful environmental impacts, and ultimately improve the safety aspects of such equipment. The authors use case study tests to argue the benefits of using thermal diffusion zinc coating as the corrosion protective measure that provides a high standard of corrosion protection, mitigation of HE and environmental impacts, and without compromising equipment identification requirements.
Keywords: anti-spark properties, corrosion, corrosion protection, environmental impacts, hydrogen embrittlement, lifting operations, marine environments, product life cycle, product testing, sherardising, steel chain components, zinc thermal diffusion.
Francois Strydom has been employed for 15 years in the lifting industry where he is responsible for product design, specification development, quality management, as well as providing technical advice to business stakeholders. Francois holds a BSc (Hons) in Metallurgy from the University of Pretoria and is a member of the local lifting equipment standards body at the South African Borough of Standards (SABS). He also represents SABS on an international level at the ISO meetings for lifting equipment. Prior to joining the lifting equipment industry, Francois also gained over 25 years of experience in the steel manufacturing industry where he served in various positions with focus on quality management, materials applications, failure analysis as well as involvement in strategic and plant improvement projects. His professional qualifications and substantial experience in steel materials technology and manufacturing of lifting products enables Francois to understand the challenges and risks associated within the lifting equipment sector. |
Ben Burgess has been employed within the lifting equipment supply sector for 10 years. He has been instrumental in developing a program for continuous improvement and new product development. Ben is a is qualified LEEA Registered Technician TEAM cardholder and is an active participant in a range of industry commercial and technical forums. Ben is influencing the global offshore lifting and rigging market through a technically led industry research initiative. He is challenging historic norms and providing advisory services to operators, contractors, and class and certification organisations on the importance of correct material selection for use in offshore lifting applications. |
References
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Burgess B (2021) Minimising the risk of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and hydrogen assisted stress cracking (HASC) within steel lifting products used in the marine environment’. The APPEA Journal 61, 77–82.
| Minimising the risk of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and hydrogen assisted stress cracking (HASC) within steel lifting products used in the marine environment’.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
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ISO 17668 (2016)(E) Zinc diffusion coatings on ferrous products – Sherardizing – Specification.
