GalvanicCrevicePittingIntergranularMICSCCHBHEHICSSCLMEFatigueErosionFrettingStrayCurrentIndex

DifferentTypesofCorrosion
Recognition,Mechanisms&Prevention

MicrobiologicallyInfluencedCorrosion(MIC)
Recognition
What is MIC? MicrobiologicallyInfluenced Corrosion (MIC),
alsoknownasmicrobialcorrosionorbiologicalcorrosion,isthe
deterioration of metals as a result of the metabolic activity of
microorganisms.
There are about a dozen of bacteria known to cause
microbiologicallyinfluencedcorrosionofcarbonsteels,stainless
steels, aluminum alloys and copper alloys in waters and soils
withpH4~9andtemperature10oC~50oC.
These bacteria can be broadly classified as aerobic (requires
oxygen to become active) or anaerobic (oxygen is toxic to the
bacteria). Sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) is anaerobic and is
responsible for most instances of accelerated corrosion
damages to ships and offshore steel structures. Iron and
manganese oxidizing bacteria are aerobic and are frequently
associatedwithacceleratedpittingattacksonstainlesssteelsatwelds.

ManyindustriesareaffectedbyMIC:
z

z
z
z
z
z
z

Chemicalprocessingindustries:stainlesssteeltanks,pipelinesandflangedjoints,particularlyinweldedareas
afterhydrotestingwithnaturalriverorwellwaters.
Nuclear power generation: carbon and stainless steel piping and tanks; coppernickel, stainless, brass and
aluminumbronzecoolingwaterpipesandtubes,especiallyduringconstruction,hydrotest,andoutageperiods.
Onshoreandoffshoreoilandgasindustries:mothballedandwaterfloodsystems;oilandgashandlingsystems,
particularlyinthoseenvironmentssouredbysulfatereducingbacteria(SRB)producedsulfides
Underground pipeline industry: watersaturated claytype soils of nearneutral pH with decaying organic
matterandasourceofSRB.
Watertreatmentindustry:heatexchangersandpiping
Sewagehandlingandtreatmentindustry:concreteandreinforcedconcretestructures
Highwaymaintenanceindustry:culvertpiping
Aviationindustry:aluminumintegralwingtanksandfuelstoragetanks
Metalworkingindustry:increasedwearfrombreakdownofmachiningoilsandemulsions
Marineandshippingindustry:accelerateddamagetoshipsandbarges

Positive identification of microbiologically influenced corrosion requires chemical, biological and metallurgical
analysisofthewaters,soilsandthemetalsamples.

http://www.corrosionclinic.com/types_of_corrosion/microbiologically_influenced_biological_microbial_corrosi... 1

Mechanisms
WhatcausesMIC?MICiscausedbyspecificgeneraofbacteriawhichfeedonnutrientsandotherelementsfoundin
watersandsoils.Seawaterisaprimarysourceofsulphatereducingbacteria(SRB).Thebiologicalactivitiesmodify
thelocalchemistry(acidproducing)andrenderitmorecorrosivetothemetals.Forexample,ironoxidizingbacteria
canperforatea5mmthick316stainlesssteeltankinjustoveramonth!

Prevention
HowtopreventMIC?Microbiologicallyinfluencedcorrosion,ormicrobialcorrosionorbiologicalcorrosion canbe
preventedthroughanumberofmethods:
z
z
z

Regularmechanicalcleaningifpossible
Chemicaltreatmentwithbiocidestocontrolthepopulationofbacteria
Completedrainageanddrystorage

Formoredetails
Moredetailsonmicrobiologicallyinfluencedcorrosionorbiologicalcorrosionareincludedinthefollowingcorrosion
shortcourseswhichyoucantakeasinhousetrainingcourses,onlinecoursesordistancelearningcourses:
CorrosionandItsPrevention(5daymodule)
CorrosionandItsPrevention(2daymodule)
Corrosion,Metallurgy,FailureAnalysisandPrevention(3days)
MarineCorrosion,CausesandPrevention(2days)
MaterialsSelectionandCorrosion(2days)
StainlessSteelsandAlloys:WhyTheyResistCorrosionandHowTheyFail(2days)
Home|SubjectIndex|ContactUs

Copyright19952011.Allrightsreserved.

http://www.corrosionclinic.com/types_of_corrosion/microbiologically_influenced_biological_microbial_corrosi... 2