AS 4312-2008

Australian Standard

Atmospheric corrosivity zones in
AustraIia
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Th|s Austra||an Standard® was prepared by Oomm|ttee MT-014, Oorros|on of Meta|s. lt was
approved on beha|f of the Oounc|| of Standards Austra||a on 18 January 2008.
Th|s Standard was pub||shed on 19 February 2008.
The fo||ow|ng are represented on Oomm|ttee MT-014:

Austra|as|an Oorros|on Assoc|at|on
Austra||an Ohamber of Oommerce and lndustry
Austra||an E|ectro|ys|s Oomm|ttee
Austra||an P|pe||ne lndustry Assoc|at|on
Austra||an Pa|nt Approva| Scheme
AÜSTROADS
B|ast O|ean|ng & Ooat|ng Assoc|at|on of Austra||a
Bureau of Stee| Manufacturers of Austra||a
Oorros|on Prevent|on Oentre
OSlRO Manufactur|ng and Mater|a|s Techno|ogy
Ga|van|zers Assoc|at|on of Austra||a
Mater|a|s Austra||a
P|umb|ng Products lndustry Group
Water Üt|||ty lnterests
Water Serv|ces Assoc|at|on of Austra||a

Th|s Standard was |ssued |n draft form for comment as DR 07270.

Standards Austra||a w|shes to acknow|edge the part|c|pat|on of the expert |nd|v|dua|s that
contr|buted to the deve|opment of th|s Standard through the|r representat|on on the
Oomm|ttee and through the pub||c comment per|od.

Keep|ng Standards up-to-date
Austra||an Standards® are ||v|ng documents that ref|ect progress |n sc|ence, techno|ogy and
systems. To ma|nta|n the|r currency, a|| Standards are per|od|ca||y rev|ewed, and new ed|t|ons
are pub||shed. Between ed|t|ons, amendments may be |ssued.

Standards may a|so be w|thdrawn. lt |s |mportant that readers assure themse|ves they are
us|ng a current Standard, wh|ch shou|d |nc|ude any amendments that may have been
pub||shed s|nce the Standard was pub||shed.

Deta||ed |nformat|on about Austra||an Standards, drafts, amendments and new projects can
be found by v|s|t|ng www.standards.org.au

Standards Austra||a we|comes suggest|ons for |mprovements, and encourages readers to
not|fy us |mmed|ate|y of any apparent |naccurac|es or amb|gu|t|es. Oontact us v|a ema|| at
ma||@standards.org.au, or wr|te to Standards Austra||a, GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2001.

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AS 4312-2008
Australian Standard

Atmospheric corrosivity zones in
AustraIia


















First published as AS 4312-2008.
COPYRIGHT
© Standards Australia
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written
permission of the publisher.
Published by Standards Australia GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
ÌSBN 0 7337 8555 7
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AS 4312~2008 2
PREIACE
This Standard was prepared by the AustraIian members of the Joint Standards
AustraIia/Standards New ZeaIand Committee MT-014, Corrosion of MetaIs.
After consuIting with stakehoIders in both countries, Standards AustraIia and Standards
New ZeaIand decided to deveIop this Standard as an AustraIian rather than an
AustraIian/New ZeaIand Standard.
The objective of this Standard is to provide guideIines for the cIassification of atmospheric
environments in terms of their effects on corrosion to assist with the seIection of metaI
finishes for ferrous products.
This Standard expands on information previousIy pubIished in AS/NZS 2312, Guide to the
protection of structural steel against atmospheric corrosion by the use of protective
coatings, to provide industry with more comprehensive guidance on atmospheric
corrosivity.
The term informative` has been used in this Standard to define the appIication of the
appendix to which it appIies. An informative` appendix is onIy for information and
guidance.
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3 AS 4312~2008
CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
1.1 SCOPE ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 APPLICATION........................................................................................................... 4
1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS .................................................................................. 4
1.4 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................ 5
SECTION 2 FACTORS AFFECTING CORROSION OF METALS
2.1 GENERAL .................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 MACRO-CLIMATIC FACTORS................................................................................ 6
2.3 MICRO-CLIMATIC AND DESIGN FACTORS......................................................... 8
2.4 CORROSIVITY CATEGORIES ................................................................................. 9
2.5 ATMOSPHERIC CORROSIONMETALS OTHER THAN STEEL........................ 9
SECTION 3 CORROSIVITY ENVIRONMENTS
3.1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................ 11
3.2 ATMOSPHERIC CORROSIVITY CATEGORIES................................................... 11
SECTION 4 DETERMINING THE CORROSIVITY ENVIRONMENT
4.1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................ 14
4.2 DETERMINING THE CORROSIVITY ENVIRONMENT....................................... 14
APPENDICES
A CORROSION ZONES............................................................................................... 16
B MEASUREMENT OF CORROSION RATES .......................................................... 25
C CORROSIVITY SURVEYS AND REFERENCES................................................... 28
D CORROSIVITY SECTIONS IN OTHER STANDARDS.......................................... 32
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AS 4312~2008 4
Standards Australia www.standards.org.au
STANDARDS AUSTRALÌA

AustraIian Standard
Atmospheric corrosivity zones in AustraIia

S E C T I O N 1 S C O P E A N D G E N E R A L
1.1 SCOPE
This Standard provides guideIines for the cIassification of corrosivity zones in AustraIia
and their effect on the corrosion of steeI and other metaIs.
These guideIines use corrosion rate cIassifications defined in ISO 9223 to deIineate
atmospheric corrosivity zones. Environments which are not atmospheric, such as immersed
or underground, are not considered in this Standard.
1.2 APPLICATION
This Standard is to be used by designers and specifiers of corrosion controI methods to
assist in determining the correct corrosivity zone in AustraIia. The infIuence of
microcIimates is aIso addressed and shouId be considered when specifying the necessary
corrosion protection that is required.
In generaI, a knowIedge of atmospheric corrosivity is necessary in the foIIowing corrosion
mitigation activities:
(a) SeIection of protective coatings. The more severe the environment, the better the
coating system required.
(b) Maintenance of coating systems. In severe environments, maintenance is more
difficuIt and more urgent than Iess severe environments.
(c) SeIection of suitabIe metaIs and metaIIic-coated products. The suitabiIity, expected
Iife and durabiIity of coated materiaIs, such as zinc coated steeI and metaIs such as
copper and stainIess steeIs, depends on the corrosivity of the environment.
(d) Design of products and components. The importance of minimizing corrosion through
carefuI design and fabrication procedures becomes more important as the
environment becomes more corrosive.
NOTE: AS/NZS 2312 providcs dctaiIs oI scIcction and maintcnancc oI protcctivc coatings, and
shows dcsign Icaturcs Ior minimizing corrosion.
1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
The foIIowing documents are referenced in this standard:
AS
1565 Copper and copper aIIoysIngots and castings
AS/NZS
1734 AIuminium and aIuminium aIIoysFIat sheet, coiIed sheet and pIate
1866 AIuminium and aIuminium aIIoysExtruded rod, bar, soIid and hoIIow shapes
2312 Guide to the protection of structuraI steeI against atmospheric corrosion by the
use of protective coatings
4673 CoId-formed stainIess steeI structures A
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ISO
9223 Corrosion of metaIs and aIIoysCorrosivity of atmospheresCIassification
9225 Corrosion of metaIs and aIIoysCorrosivity of atmospheresMeasurement of
poIIution
9226 Corrosion of metaIs and aIIoysCorrosivity of atmospheresDetermination of
corrosion rate of standard specimens for the evaIuation of corrosivity
12944 Paints and varnishesCorrosion protection of steeI structures by protective
paint systems (Series)
14713 Protection against corrosion of iron and steeI in structuresZinc and
aIuminium coatingsGuideIines
ASTM
G92 Standard practice for characterization of atmospheric test sites
1.4 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions beIow appIy.
1.4.1 Covvosion vate
The amount (penetration or weight Ioss) of corrosion that occurs in a given time. UsuaIIy
measured in micrometres (m) per year.
1.4.2 Covvosivity
A measure of the abiIity of the environment to cause corrosion. Often used interchangeabIy
with the term corrosion rate`.
1.4.3 Envivonment
Surrounding region which contains one or more corrosive agents.
1.4.4 Macvo-envivonment (ov macvo-climate)
Environment generated by normaI weather patterns in a specific area.
1.4.5 Micvo-envivonment (ov micvo-climate)
A restricted or smaII-scaIe environment generated by IocaI features or the compIexity or
orientation of a structure, such as poIIution sources or ponding areas.
1.4.6 Metal
Common engineering metaIs and aIIoys, such as steeI and zinc.
1.4.7 Time-oI-wetness
The period of time during which there is a surface Iayer of moisture on a surface. A usefuI
approximation, as defined by ISO 9223, is the time period during which the reIative
humidity is above 80º and the temperature is above 0°C.
NOTE: Scc aIso CIausc 2.2.1(a).
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AS 4312~2008 6
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S E C T I O N 2 I A C T O R S A I I E C T I N G
C O R R O S I O N O I M E T A L S
2.1 GENERAL
Atmospheric corrosion of metaIs requires the presence of oxygen and an eIectroIyte, usuaIIy
water. In such an environment, corrosion rates are controIIed by the percentage of time that
the surface is wet. SoIubIe contaminants such as saIts can aIso have a major infIuence on
corrosion rates, by absorbing moisture and creating a Iayer of eIectroIyte when none wouId
otherwise exist, or by increasing the effective conductivity of the eIectroIyte. Corrosion
in the presence of moisture and saIt or other contaminants.
2.2 MACRO-CLIMATIC FACTORS
2.2.1 Pvimavy Iactovs
The two most important factors affecting the corrosion rates of metaIs in AustraIia are:
(a) Time of wetness, which is the period of time during which a metaIIic surface is
covered by adsorptive and/or Iiquid fiIms of eIectroIyte that are capabIe of causing
atmospheric corrosion. Moisture is mandatory for atmospheric corrosion to occur, and
aII things being equaI, the Ionger the period of time that a Iayer of moisture is present
on a metaIIic surface, the greater is the amount of corrosion. Time of wetness is
infIuenced by a range of factors e.g. metaI type, the shape, mass and orientation of the
object, any sheItering and poIIutants on the surface. The Iength of time for which the
reIative humidity (RH) exceeds 80º at a temperature greater than 0°C has been used
to estimate time of wetness. In coId cIimates such as Antarctica, behaviour can be
different and one study has shown that a better estimate for time of wetness was when
RH exceeds 50º and when the ambient temperature exceeds 10°C.
(b) Airborne saIt, which is a major stimuIant of atmospheric corrosion near the coast,
causes the most damage to infrastructure in AustraIia as most of the popuIation Iive
within 50 kiIometres of the coast. MetaIs are rapidIy attacked in the vicinity of surf
beaches. The deposition rate of sea saIt on exposed surfaces is directIy reIated to its
concentration in the atmosphere. Deposition, and therefore corrosion, usuaIIy drops
off rapidIy with distance traveIed inIand.
The rapid change in corrosivity with distance inIand is shown in Figure 2.1. There is
significant scatter in these resuIts as factors due to variations in weather, winds, IocaI
topography, etc. aII affect the amount of saIt in the air and the amount deposited at a
given site. Note that the marine infIuence is not consistent aIthough the resuIts do
tend to divide into two distinct groups:
(i) Near rough seas or surf beaches, for exampIe NewcastIe, the corrosivity figures
are very high, faIIing away rapidIy moving inIand. At about 0.5 to 1 km inIand,
the figures generaIIy tend to fIatten out, but stiII remain quite high, averaging
(ii) Around sheItered coastaI waters, for exampIe MeIbourne, resuIts are compIeteIy
year, but significantIy Iess than figures obtained near ocean surf. Furthermore,
the resuIts IeveI out moving inIand more than 500 metres or so in such an
environment, suggesting no further marine infIuence.
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Such effects are not unique and are apparent in marine Iocations around the worId.
Corrosion rates can vary considerabIy within a hundred metres or so from a
beachfront, and Figure 2.1 can be used to estimate approximate corrosivity for sites
with environments simiIar to those pIotted.
However the corrosion rates for Aracaju in BraziI are sIightIy different from the two
groups discussed in that they are very high right on the coast, but drop away to Iow
IeveIs simiIar to those on the sheItered bay. At this site, the seas are quite rough but
the winds reIativeIy weak, and saIt is bIown inIand onIy a Iimited distance. The arid
environment at this site means the corrosive saIt is deposited on surfaces, but not
washed away by rain. This resuIts in a very high corrosive rate right on the coast.
Moving inIand, the atmospheric saIt IeveIs rapidIy drop away and corrosivity faIIs
simiIarIy.
Dl STANOE FROM SEASHORE ¦ km}
Newcast | e reg| on
Me| bour ne reg| on
|agos, N| ger | a
Oape Kennedy & Kure
beach, ÜSA
Ar acaj u, Br az| |
|EGEND:
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1 2 3 4 5

FlGURE 2.1 EFFECT OF DlSTANCE FROM SEASHORE
ON STEEL CORROSlVlTY
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AS 4312~2008 8
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2.2.2 ModiIying Iactovs
Other factors that infIuence corrosion rates, in a Iess predictabIe manner, are Iisted beIow:
(a) RainfaII has the effect of either stimuIating or reducing corrosion depending on the
environment. In poIIuted or coastaI atmospheres, the washing effect of the rain may
reduce corrosion by decreasing the time of wetness, whiIe at Iess poIIuted sites or
those weII away from the ocean the situation is reversed and the rain increases time of
wetness of the surface.
(b) Temperature aIso has contradictory effects. Increasing temperature increases the rate
of corrosion reactions but Ieads to more rapid moisture evaporation, shortening the
time of wetness and decreasing the corrosion rate.
(c) Wind may increase corrosion rate by carrying saIts and other corrosion contaminants
considerabIe distances from their source. AIternativeIy winds may dry a wet surface
Iowering the time of wetness and corrosion rate.
MICRO-CLIMATIC AND DESIGN FACTORS
2.3.1 Geneval
In addition to the macrocIimatic effects on corrosion, microcIimatic and design features at a
given site must be taken into consideration. These factors may interact to convert a miIdIy
corrosive atmosphere into an aggressive one.
2.3.2 Industvial pollutants and chemical attacks
SuIfur dioxide (SO

) and other suIfur bearing compounds, and other gaseous corrosive

substances and acidified rain are powerfuI stimuIants of atmospheric corrosion. In many
parts of the worId they are considered a macro-cIimatic factor in corrosion. However as
there are Iimited sources of these poIIutants in AustraIia, they are generaIIy a minor
contributor to atmospheric corrosion of metaIs and are best considered a micro-cIimatic
factor. They may be disregarded except at sites near recognized point sources, such as fossiI
fueI burning industries and smeIters of suIfide ores.
It shouId be noted that poIIution IeveIs around Iarge industries, and thus corrosion rates,
were higher in the past. Many of these industries have significantIy Iowered their emissions
and so corrosion rate survey resuIts may show IittIe reIation to current corrosion rates.
Other types of poIIution such as particuIates and oxides of nitrogen (NO

) may aIso increase

corrosion rates. Vapours, waste products, fertiIizers, fungicides and other chemicaIs and
fIuids in and around animaI and other farming activities are generaIIy corrosive.
2.3.3 Sheltev Ivom vain and vegulav washing
Surfaces exposed to atmospheric contaminants such as marine saIts, agricuIturaI chemicaIs
and other contaminants, but sheItered or shieIded from the washing action of rain, may
show a corrosion rate many times greater than wouId occur in a rain-washed situation.
NOTE: RcguIar rain washing wiII gcncraIIy rcducc corrosion ratcs. Howcvcr in rcgions with IittIc
atmosphcric contamination, cxposurc to rain or rcguIar washing can incrcasc corrosion ratcs.
2.3.4 Pvolonged suvIace wetness
Locations where the metaI remains wet for an extended period, such as surfaces which are
not freeIy drained (ponding areas`) or surfaces shaded from drying effects of sunIight or
wind, wiII show higher corrosion rates. Other exampIes incIude surfaces subject to
condensation, impingement by steam or those in contact with wet vegetation.
Corrosivity survey data that have produced the vaIues referred to in this Standard have
usuaIIy been derived by using verticaI or incIined fIat smooth paneIs. A reaI` structure,
with horizontaI surfaces, edges, ponding areas, rough weIds, crevices, gussets, encIaves and
other such features that trap water wouId show higher corrosion rates.
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2.3.5 Abvasion and evosion
Abrasion and impact of exposed surfaces wiII in time remove protective fiIms and hence
reduce the surface Iife of the materiaI or coating, e.g. wind erosion, handIing, traffic and
Iivestock.
2.3.6 Othev Iactovs
There are many other factors that can infIuence the corrosion rate of a metaI at a given site,
with some being of more importance than others. Appendix B summarizes the effect of
randomness in weather patterns and exposure conditions on the outcome of corrosion rates
determined by fieId exposure. These factors can expIain why there can be considerabIe
variation in corrosion figures from nominaIIy simiIar sites.
2.4 CORROSIVITY CATEGORIES
For practicaI use of corrosivity figures, it is desirabIe to divide corrosion rate figures into
categories that correIate with corrosion protection requirements, such as durabiIity of
materiaIs, or performance of protective coatings. ISO 9223 has suggested five corrosion
zones based on the first year corrosion rate of miId steeI. This, and reIated standards, aIso
aIIows estimation of the same corrosivity zones based on environmentaI factors such as
time of wetness and chIoride deposition rate, and corrosion rates of other metaIs such as
zinc. However, there is much evidence to suggest that such caIcuIation and use of other
metaIs do not correIate, and it is best to use onIy corrosion rate measurements of steeI to
define corrosivity zones. The ISO 9223 zones are arbitrary, and the divisions between them
are not reIated to any environmentaI or any other factors, however they are wideIy accepted
and are used in this Standard. TabIe 2.1 shows ISO 9223 corrosivity categories, the one
year corrosion rates for miId steeI, and exampIes of typicaI environment.
TABLE 2.1
CORROSIVITY CATEGORIES ACCORDING TO ISO 9223
ISO 9223
category
Corrosivity Steel corrosion rate
m/y
Typical
environment
C1 very low 1.3 dry indoors
C2 low 1.3÷25 arid/urban inland
C3 medium 25÷50 coastal or industrial
C4 high 50÷80 sea-shore (calm)
C5 very high 80÷200 sea-shore (surf)
2.5 ATMOSPHERIC CORROSION÷METALS OTHER THAN STEEL
2.5.1 Geneval
The corrosion rates of other metaIs wiII be much Iess than for steeI in the same
environment. GeneraIIy, the corrosion properties of metaIs other than steeI wiII foIIow the
same trends as steeI; that is, as the environment becomes more severe, their corrosion rate
wiII increase. Other than noting this generaI trend, there are no consistent mathematicaI
reIationships between corrosion rate of carbon steeI and of other metaIs, aIthough ISO 9223
cIassifies atmospheric corrosivity based on corrosion rates of zinc, copper and aIuminium,
as weII as steeI. The foIIowing CIauses note some generaI observations regarding
atmospheric corrosion of other metaIs.
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2.5.2 Stainless steels
StainIess steeIs have a passive fiIm which provides very good corrosion protection in most
atmospheres. As a resuIt the generaI atmospheric corrosion rate is so Iow as to be virtuaIIy
unmeasurabIe. However, some atmospheric contaminants can cause pitting or surface
staining. The extent wiII depend on the grade of stainIess steeI and quaIity of the finish as
weII as the atmosphere. The main contaminants of concern are metaIIic iron dust and
chIorides. Where these are not present, such as interior and ruraI environments, any grade
and finish shouId remain free from rust stains. In marine environments, the basic ferritic
grades wiII show rust staining, as wiII 304 grade with a rough finish. IndustriaI
environments can cause staining, especiaIIy if exposed to poIIutants such as chIoride and
iron dust. In a severe marine environment, moIybdenum-containing 316 is resistant,
showing onIy sIight spotting in very severe environments. With a smooth finish or reguIar
washing or both, grades better than 304 shouId be acceptabIe, aIthough 316 wouId normaIIy
be seIected in marine and severe marine atmospheric environments. Further information on
the corrosion properties of stainIess steeI is given in AS/NZS 4673.
2.5.3 Zinc
The atmospheric corrosion rate of zinc has been found to be generaIIy Iinear with time,
however exampIes of the rates increasing and decreasing over time have been observed. In
ruraI and other contaminant free environments, the corrosion rate of zinc wiII be very Iow,
around one-tenth to one-twentieth of that in steeI in the same environment, and usuaIIy Iess
year. These are aIso one-tenth to one-twentieth the corrosion rate of steeI. In marine
atmospheres, soIubIe zinc chIoride wiII form and the corrosion rate, as with steeI, is much
coast. These are one-twentieth to one-hundredth the corrosion rate of steeI. The corrosion
rate of zinc tends to decrease with time in marine atmospheres.
Fresh zinc surfaces shouId be stored under weII-ventiIated conditions, or buIky white
corrosion products caIIed white rust or wet storage stain may be formed.
The corrosion properties of titanium-zinc aIIoy sheeting used for facades are generaIIy
simiIar to zinc used for gaIvanized coatings.
2.5.4 Aluminium
AIuminium forms a very resistant oxide fiIm which provides protection in a wide range of
atmospheres. As a resuIt, the corrosion of commerciaI aIuminium aIIoys is very Iow, usuaIIy
which decreases with time in most atmospheric environments. AIuminium wiII resist
sIightIy acidic environments better than steeI or zinc. Further information on the corrosion
performance of aIuminium and aIuminium aIIoys is given in various AustraIian Standards,
such as AS/NZS 1734 for sheet and pIate and AS/NZS 1866 for extrusions.
2.5.5 Aluminium-zinc alloys
These are usuaIIy used as coatings on steeI in the form of 5AI-95Zn or 55AI-45Zn aIIoys.
Such coatings have been shown to have improved corrosion resistance over gaIvanized steeI
of simiIar thickness in miId, industriaI and marine environments.
2.5.6 Coppev
Copper and copper aIIoys such as brass and bronze resist corrosion by ruraI, industriaI and
marine atmospheric environments, except atmospheres contaminated by ammonia or
ammonium compounds. Corrosion is usuaIIy uniform in the form of tarnishing and
information on seIection of copper aIIoys, incIuding for corrosion resistance.
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S E C T I O N 3 C O R R O S I V I T Y E N V I R O N M E N T S
3.1 GENERAL
ISO 9223 cIassifies five atmospheric corrosivity categories based on the corrosion rate of
miId steeI, as described in Section 2. These same categories are used in ISO 14713 for
seIection of metaIIic coatings, aIthough the corrosion of the first two categories are aItered
sIightIy. The ISO 9223 categories have been modified sIightIy for ISO 12944 for seIection
of protective paint coatings, and this modified cIassification is used in this Standard. In
ISO 12944, the C5 (very high) category is divided into C5-M marine and C5-I IndustriaI to
account for the differing performance of protective coatings in these two environments,
even though the corrosion rate of steeI may be the same. This has been adopted for this
Standard. Furthermore, a TropicaI (T) category has been introduced for this Standard to
account for the fact that tropicaI environments degrade organic coatings such as paint at a
greater rate than wouId be inferred from their corrosion rate. TabIe 3.1 compares the
categories adopted in this Standard to those in the various ISO Standards.
The corrosivity categories adopted are described beIow for AustraIia, aIong with typicaI
areas where such categories may be found.
3.2 ATMOSPHERIC CORROSIVITY CATEGORIES
3.2.1 C1: Vevy Low (Mild steel covvosion vate ·1.3 m/y)
Environments in this category are commonIy found inside heated or air conditioned
buiIdings with cIean atmospheres, such as most commerciaI buiIdings. They may aIso be
found in semi-sheItered Iocations remote from marine or industriaI infIuence, and in
unheated or non-air conditioned buiIdings. WhiIe some aIpine regions in AustraIia are
nominaIIy in this category, design and micro-environmentaI factors wiII move them into
category C2.
3.2.2 C2: Low (Mild steel covvosion vate 1.3 to 25 m/y)
Macro-environments in this category incIude dry, ruraI areas, and other areas remote from
the coast or sources of poIIution. Most areas of AustraIia at Ieast 50 kiIometres from the
coast wouId be in this category, which can extend to within one kiIometre from quiet,
sheItered seas. Most inIand towns, such as Canberra, BaIIarat, Toowoomba and AIice
Springs are in this category, as are suburbs of cities on sheItered bays (Brisbane,
MeIbourne, Hobart) that are more than one kiIometre from the sea. AdeIaide is semi-
sheItered, and suburbs more than 6 kiIometres from the coast in the southern suburbs,
through to 3 kiIometres from the coast in the northern suburbs are in this zone. Unheated or
non-air conditioned haIIs where some condensation may occur, such as warehouses or
sports haIIs, can be in this category. Proximity to the coast is an important factor.
3.2.3 C3: Medium (Mild steel covvosion vate 25 to 50 m/y)
Macro-environments are mainIy coastaI areas with Iow saIinity. The extent of the affected
area varies significantIy with factors such as wind, topography and vegetation. Around
sheItered areas, such as Port PhiIip Bay, category C3 extends beyond 50 metres from the
shoreIine to a distance of about one kiIometre inIand. For a Iess sheItered bay or guIf, such
as AdeIaide, this category extends further inIand by about 3 to 6 kiIometres inIand. AIong
ocean front areas with breaking surf and significant saIt spray, it extends from about one
kiIometre inIand to between 10 and 50 kiIometres inIand, depending on the strength of
prevaiIing winds and topography. Much of the metropoIitan areas of WoIIongong, Sydney,
NewcastIe and the GoId Coast are in this category. In South AustraIia, the whoIe of the
Yorke PeninsuIa faIIs within this, or a more severe category. In the south-east of South
AustraIia, from Victor Harbour to the Victorian border, this category extends between
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30 and 70 kiIometres inIand. Such regions are aIso found in urban and industriaI areas with
Iow poIIution IeveIs, and for severaI kiIometres around Iarge industries such as steeIworks
and smeIters. Micro-environmentaI effects, such as proximity to airports and sewage
treatment works, may aIso pIace a site within this category. Interior environments with
category C3 corrosivity can aIso occur in humid production rooms, such as food-processing
pIants, Iaundries, breweries, printing works and dairies.
3.2.4 C4: High (Mild steel covvosion vate 50 to 80 m/y)
This category occurs mainIy on the coast. Around sheItered bays, category C4 extends up to
50 metres inIand from the shoreIine. In areas with rough seas and surf, it extends from
severaI hundred metres inIand to about one kiIometre inIand. As with other categories, the
extent depends on winds, wave action and topography. This category wiII aIso be found
inside Iarge industriaI pIants with steam production, and perhaps up to 1.5 kiIometre
downwind of the pIant. Again this is best considered as a micro-environment. Damp,
contaminated interior environments such as occur with swimming pooIs, dye works, paper
manufacturers, foundries, smeIters and chemicaI processing pIants may aIso extend into this
category.
3.2.5 C5: Vevy High (C5-I: Industvial, C5-M: Mavine) (Mild steel covvosion vate 80 to
200 m pev yeav)
This category is common offshore and on the beachfront in regions of rough seas and surf
beaches. The region can extend inIand for severaI hundred metres. (In some areas of
NewcastIe, for exampIe, it extends more than haIf a kiIometre from the coast. This category
may aIso be found in aggressive industriaI areas, where the environment may be acidic with
a pH of Iess than 5. For this reason, category C5 is divided into Marine and IndustriaI for
purposes of seIection of zinc and aIuminium metaIIic coatings, and organic coatings. Some
of the damp and/or contaminated interior environments in category C4 may occasionaIIy
extend into this category.
3.2.6 T: Inland Tvopical
The TropicaI` category is reIevant onIy to the seIection of organic coatings. A tropicaI
environment is found in monsoonaI areas of north QueensIand, Northern Territory, north-
west Western AustraIia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific IsIands, except that where
saIinity has an affect such zones faII into one of the more severe categories described
above. Corrosivity in inIand regions is generaIIy Iow (simiIar to category C2), but the
aggressiveness of the environment to organic coatings means that durabiIity is Iess than the
metaI corrosion rate wouId indicate. Weathering of organic coatings depends on factors
other than environmentaI corrosivity, such as UV Iight intensity, and seIection needs to
consider these factors which are outside the scope of this Standard. Figure 3.1 shows the
approximate extent of the tropicaI zone in AustraIia.
TABLE 3.1
CORROSIVITY CATEGORIES
ISO 9223 and
ISO 14713
ISO 12944 and this
Standard
Description Mild steel
corrosion rate (m/y)
C1 C1 Very low ·1.3
C2 C2 Low 1.3÷25
C3 C3 Medium 25÷50
C4 C4 High 50÷80
C5 C-5I Very High÷industrial 80÷200
C5 C-5M Very High÷marine 80÷200
÷ (T) (See Note) Tropical See Clause 3.2.6
NOTE: The tropical category is not in ISO 12944.
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S E C T I O N 4 D E T E R M I N I N G T H E
C O R R O S I V I T Y E N V I R O N M E N T
4.1 GENERAL
Appendix A summarizes the resuIts of many of the surveys, and can be used to determine
the corrosivity environment. Maps for MeIbourne (Figure A1), NewcastIe (Figure A2) and
South AustraIia (Figure A3) are based on measurements carried out by the CSIRO (See
Appendix C). The maps for Sydney (Figure A4), Brisbane (Figure A5) and Perth
(Figure A6) are estimates of zones based on a Iimited number of surveys, and extrapoIating
corrosivity behaviour in the NewcastIe region. This Section provides information to enabIe
a reasonabIe estimation of the environment to be made for those sites where actuaI
corrosivity measurements have not been carried out. However, even if a survey has been
carried out at the required site, it is recommended that the procedure in this section be
foIIowed to provide a check.
4.2 DETERMINING THE CORROSIVITY ENVIRONMENT
With so many factors infIuencing corrosion, determining the environment is not easy.
However, the specifier shouId work systematicaIIy through the foIIowing questions:
(a) What is the natuve oI the geneval ov macvo envivonment?
Consider first the corrosivity categories of Section 3. Appendix A shows maps and a
tabIe based on corrosivity investigations, and zones according to ISO designations.
The borders between the more severe environments are difficuIt to resoIve at this
IeveI. If the site under consideration has not been subject to an investigation, consider
the descriptions in Section 3. Look at the most severe first. The fIow chart in
Figure 4.1 may heIp in determining the corrosion zone.
(b) Ave theve local envivonments ov micvo-envivonments which will opevate?
Check if any IocaI or micro-environments wiII infIuence the structure. These are
Iisted in CIause 2.3. If the whoIe structure is subject to one of these environments,
then this is the environment, and it wiII usuaIIy require moving up to at Ieast the next
corrosivity category. If onIy part of the structure is subjected to the micro-
environment, then consider question (d) beIow.
(c) Is the envivonment likely to change?
If the investigation is being carried out to determine materiaIs or corrosion protection
systems for a structure to be buiIt, then this may infIuence the assessment. If the
structure is a Iarge industry such as a smeIter or chemicaI pIant, then cIearIy its
construction wiII infIuence the IocaI environment and the corrosivity must be
determined on the basis of the operating environment once the pIant is commissioned,
rattIer than the environment before the pIant was constructed.
(d) Should only the wovst envivonment be consideved ov should the pvoject be
divided up into diIIevent envivonmental zones?
For exampIe, a chemicaI pIant buiIt in a coastaI tropicaI zone wiII have areas exposed
to quite different environments. In some areas marine faIIout wiII predominate, in
others it wiII be chemicaI fumes, whiIe in other areas the tropicaI conditions wiII be
most important. It may be simpIer to consider onIy the most aggressive environment.
In other cases, it may be better to divide the project into a number of corrosivity
zones.
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Are you w| th| n ¦ ext er | or or | nt er | or } a ver y
aggr ess| ve | ndust r | a| p| ant , such as a
p| at | ng shop, chem| ca| p| ant ?
Medi um
Cor rosi vi ty
Oategor y
O3
I n| and
Tropi ca|
Oategor y T
Low
Cor rosi vi ty
Oategor y
O2
Very Low
Cor rosi vi ty
Oategor y
O1
High
Cor rosi vi ty
Oategor y
O4
Very Hi gh
( Mari ne}
Oorros| v| t y
Oategor y
O5-M
Very Hi gh
( I ndust ri a| }
Cor rosi vi ty
Oategor y
O5-l
Are you | n a dr y, cont | nua| | y heat ed
or a| r-cond| t | oned bu| | d| ng?
Are you | n an ext er | or | ocat| on ¦ not cover ed
above} , or | n a non-heat ed,
non- a| r- cond| t | oned bu| | d| ng?
Are you | n a ext er | or trop| ca| reg| on?
Monsoona| area?
Are you bet ween a k| | omet r e and 20 t o 50 km
¦ depend| ng of w| nds, t opogr aphy} f rom the
ocean or bet ween 100 metr es and a k| | omet r e of
t he shore of a she| tered coast a| area?
Are you w| th| n sever a| k| | omet res downw| nd of
an | ndustr | a| p| ant , or w| t h| n a damp,
hum| d bu| | d| ng?
Are you bet ween a f ew hundred met r es and
a k| | omet r e f rom t he ocean, or w| t h| n 100
met res of the shore of a she| tered coast a| area?
Are you | n or around ¦ w| t h| n a k| | omet re or t wo}
an | ndustr | a| p| ant , or w| t h| n a damp,
hum| d bu| | d| ng w| t h f umes?
Are you on an of f shor e st r uct ur e, a j et t y or
w| t h| n a f ew hundred met res of t he ocean?
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Repeat det erm| nat| on
NO

FlGURE 4.1 DETERMlNlNG MACRO-ENVlRONMENT

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APPENDIX A
CORROSION ZONES
(Informative)
Tu| | amar| ne
Oauf | e| d
Dandenong
Frankst on
25
25
|o| | ||| | | | o Sa,
OORROSl vl TY
OATEGORl ES
and corros| on r at es
¦ m/year, 1 year, m| | d stee| }
O2: |ow ¦ 1. 3-25}
O3: Med| um ¦ 25-50}
O4: H| gh ¦50-80}
O5: ver y h| gh ¦ 80-200}
0 1 2 3 4 5 km
Box H| | |
Gr eensborough
A| t ona
Me| bour ne

NOTE: Categories as determined in 1982.
FlGURE A1 lSO CORROSlVlTY CATEGORlES FOR MELBOURNE
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OORROSl vl TY
OATEGORl ES
and corros| on r at es
¦ m/year, 1 year, m| | d stee| }
O2: |ow ¦ 1. 3-25}
O3: Med| um ¦ 25-50}
O4: H| gh ¦50-80}
O5: ver y h| gh ¦80-200}
0 1 2 3 4 5 km
Ma| t | and
Raymond
Terrace
Tomago
NEWOAST|E
BHP
Ohar| est own
Boo| aroo
Be| mont
|AKE
MAQÜARl E

NOTES:
1 Categories as determined in 1992.
2 Boolaroo and BHP have closed with no data available on current levels of corrosion. It is assumed that
corrosion levels will return background levels.
FlGURE A2 lSO CORROSlVlTY CATEGORlES FOR NEWCASTLE
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25
25
25
50
50
50
50
50
OORROSl vl TY
OATEGORl ES
and corros| on r at es
¦ m/ year, 1 year, m| | d stee| }
O2: |ow ¦ 1. 3-25}
O3: Med| um ¦ 25-50}
O4: H| gh ¦50-80}
O5: ver y h| gh ¦80-200}
0 50 100 km
Por t August a
Whya| | a
Por t P| r | e
ADE|Al DE
G0| /
5| v| ncen|
5oence| G0| /
v| ctor
Harbour
Murray Br | dge

NOTE: Categories as determined in 1994.
FlGURE A3 CORROSlVlTY CATEGORlES FOR SOUTH AUSTRALlA
(SOUTHERN REGlON)
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S|o|en Sa,
SYDNEY
Oronu| | a
Parr amatt a
Penr | t h
Oampbe| | t own
OORROSl vl TY
OATEGORl ES
and corros| on rates
¦ m/ year, 1 year, m| | d st ee| }
O2: |ow ¦ 1. 3-25}
O3: Med| um ¦25-50}
O4: H| gh ¦ 50-80}
O5: ver y h| gh ¦ 80-200}

FlGURE A4 lSO CORROSlVlTY CATEGORlES FOR SYDNEY (ESTlMATED)

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BRl SBANE
OORROSl vl TY
OATEGORl ES
and corros| on r at es
¦ m/year, 1 year, m| | d stee| }
O2: |ow ¦ 1. 3-25}
O3: Med| um ¦ 25-50}
O4: H| gh ¦50-80}
O5: ver y h| gh ¦ 80-200}
|ed| and
Sa,
S|emo| e Sa,
Deceo|| on Sa,
Mount G| or| ous
Redc| | ff e
Scarborough
KA||ANGÜR
STRATHPl NE
|OGAN
OENTRA|
Be| | bowr | e
O|EvE|AND

FlGURE A5 lSO CORROSlVlTY CATEGORlES FOR BRlSBANE (ESTlMATED)
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OORROSl vl TY
OATEGORl ES
and corros| on rates
¦ m/year, 1 year, m| | d st ee| }
O2: |ow ¦ 1. 3-25}
O3: Med| um ¦ 25-50}
O4: H| gh ¦ 50-80}
O5: very h| gh ¦ 80-200}
Joonda| up
OANNlNGTON
ARMADA|E
Ml D|AND
MOR|EY
Pert h
Fremant | e
Rock| ngham

FlGURE A6 lSO CORROSlVlTY CATEGORlES FOR PERTH (ESTlMATED)

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TABLE A1
TYPICAL CORROSION RATES FOR MILD STEEL
AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Test site

Corrosion
rate
m/y
Distance
from sea
km
Corrosivity
zone
Reference
(See App C)
Comments
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Canberra: Black Mountains 16f 114 C2 |4] Urban residential
Canberra: Fairbairn 5 108 C2 |19] Air base
Queanbeyan 7f 120 C2 |4] Outer urban
NEW SOUTH WALES (See Figure A2 for Newcastle region, Figure A4 for Sydney
Appin 18 20 C2 |2] Colliery
Denman 10f 120 C2 |22] Rural-Hunter valley
Dubbo 4f 300 C2 |19] Rural
Mount Kembla 13 10 C2 |2] Colliery
Muswellbrook 23f 110 C2 |19] Rural-Hunter valley
Newcastle: Beach 176 0.125 C5-M |21] Beachfront
Nowra 18 21 C2 |19] Illawara coast-Inland
Port Kembla: jetty #4 60 0 C4 |2] Waterfront
Quirindi 2f 200 C2 |19] Rural
Scone 10f 125 C2 |19] Rural-Hunter valley
Singleton 14f 70 C2 |19] Rural-Hunter valley
Sydney: Alexandria 41f 5 C3 |4] Industrial area
Sydney: City 32f 5 C3 |22] Urban commercial
Sydney: Pyrmont 31f 5 C3 |22] Urban
Sydney: Rydalmere 54 20 C4 |2] Industrial site
Sydney: Ryde 25f 27 C3 |4] Urban residential
Wagga 4f 260 C2 |19] Rural
Williamtown 30f 4 C3 |15] Air base
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Darwin 11f 5 T/C2 |20] Tropical÷wet season
start
Darwin 6f 7 T/C2 |20] Tropical÷dry season
start
Gove 21f 11 T/C2 |15] Tropical ocean
Mt Goodwin 9f 10 T/C2 |15] Tropical inlet
Tindal 3f 280 T/C2 |15] Tropical air base
(continuea)
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Test site

Corrosion
rate
m/y
Distance
from sea
km
Corrosivity
zone
Reference
(See App C)
Comments
QUEENSLAND (See Figure A5)
Amberley 11f 75 C2 |15] Air base
Brisbane: City 18f 15 C2 |4] Commercial area
Brisbane: Cannon Hill 26f 9 C3 |4] Outer urban industrial
park
Brisbane: Hamilton 28 12 C3 |2] Light industrial
Cowley Beach 142f 0.03 C5-M |5] Tropical beach
Cloncurry 4f 600 C2 |5] Desert
Innisfail 17f 10 C2 |5] Sheltered
Innisfail 25f 10 C2/C3 |5] Open
Innisfail 21f 10 C2 |15] Hot wet cleared
Toowoomba 8 120 C2 |2] Rural
Townsville: open 36 0.4 T/C3 |22] Water board site
Townsville: sheltered 30 0.4 T/C3 |22] Water board site
Townsville 18 6.5 T/C2 |22] Light industrial
Tully 25 15 T/C2/C3 |2] Rural
Walkamin 8f 43 C2 |22] Inland tropical
Weipa 10f 2 C2 |15] Tropical inlet
SOUTH AUSTRALIA (See Figure A2)
Adel aide Northern Beaches 57f 0.1 C3 |13] Beach front
Adel aide Southern Beaches 79.5f 0.1 C3/C4 |13] Beach front
Adel aide: Torrens Island 27f 0.5 C3 |4] Industrial marine
Adelaide: Urrbrae 10f 10 C2 |4] Urban residential
Adelaide: Woodville 16f 5 C2 |4] Light industrial
Adelaide: Woodville 30 6 C3 |2] Tube mill
Ceduna 51f 1 C4 |22] Ocean front
Ceduna 18f 36 C2 |13] Rural
Coober Pedy 3f 500 C2 |22] Desert
Kingston Southeast 24 1.6 C2 |19] Airstrip
Naracoorte 20 88 C2 |19] Airport
Port Augusta/Whyalla 16f 23 C2 |13] ÷
Port Augusta 43f 0.01 C3 |22] Inlet
Port Pirie 74 5 C4 |2] Zinc smelter
Avenue 22f 19 C2 |19] Rural
Whyalla 13 1 C2 |2] Steelworks
(continuea)

TABLE A1 (continued)
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Test site

Corrosion
rate
m/y
Distance
from sea
km
Corrosivity
zone
Reference
(See App C)
Comments
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
(cont.)

Whyalla 43f 0.01 C3 |22] Beach
Yorke Peninsula South 164f 0.4 C5-M |13] Cliff face
Yorke Peninsula South 31f 3 C3 |13] Rural - coastal
TASMANIA
Burnie 29 0.5 C3 |2] Papermill
Hobart: City 13f 1 C2 |4] Commercial
Hobart: Derwent park 16f 1 C2 |4] Light commercial
Hobart: Moonah 17 2 C2 |2] Light industrial
Hobart: Risdon 71 0.5 C4 |2] Zinc refinery
King Island: open 63 0.25 C4 |22] Rural - coastal
King Island: sheltered 101 0.25 C5-M |22] Rural - coastal
VICTORIA (See Figure A1)
Flinders 22 1.3 C2 |22] Coastal
Flinders 31 0.1 C3 |22] Coastal
Geelong: North Shore 40 0.5 C3 |2] Wire mill
Mt Buller 1f 200 C1 |22] Alpine site
Western: Edenhope 14f 156 C2 |19] Rural
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (See Figure A6)
Curtin (South Derby) 5f 30 T/C2 |15] Tropical gulf
Learmonth 8f 3 C2 |15] Dry near gulf
Newman 3 300 C2 |2] Mine
Perth: Bentley 21f 10 C2 |4] Urban
Perth: Floreat Park 27f 3 C3 |4] Urban residential
Perth: Kwinana 26f 0.5 C3 |4] Refinery
Perth: Orelia 28f 4 C3 |4] Urban residential
Perth: Kwinana 45 0.5 C3 |2] Steelworks
Port Hedland 15f 8 C2 |15] Dry near ocean
NEW GUINEA
Lae 9f 1.5 T/C2 |3] Tropical semi-urban
Port Moresby 17f 6 T/C2 |3] Tropical semi-urban
Rabaul 13f 0.8 T/C2 |3] Tropical urban
Goroka 4f 80 T/C2 |3] Tropical semi-urban
Cocos Island
(Indian Ocean)
67f 0.05 C4 |15] Tropical ocean
f Copper steel exposed.
NOTE: See Appendix C for References.
TABLE A1 (continued)
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APPENDIX B
MEASUREMENT OI CORROSION RATES
(Informative)
The accurate measurement of corrosion rates of metaIs with acceptabIe reproducibiIity is
not easy. There are many factors other than the environmentaI issues mentioned in
Section 2 which affect corrosivity. Their effect on macro-corrosivity may be Iess significant
than the environment, but an awareness of them is necessary to enabIe an understanding of
corrosivity surveys and the conditions under which the survey has been conducted.
TabIe B1 summarizes some of these factors, their reIative importance and how they affect
corrosion rates. These are described beIow.
(a) The factors such as time of wetness and chIoride deposition discussed in Section 2
can vary from one year to the next, so measurement made over different time periods
can vary considerabIy. In the absence of other data, chIoride deposition rates can be
determined as set out in ISO 9225.
(b) The month in which test paneIs are first exposed is important, as paneIs initiaIIy
exposed in winter wiII generaIIy show higher corrosion rates than those initiaIIy
exposed in summer. However, whiIe this effect has been observed in eastern
temperate regions, it may not appIy over the entire country. The effect has been
shown to occur with initiaI exposures in different times of the year, in both marine
environments and in tropicaI areas with marked wet` and dry` seasons.
(c) The time over which the tests are taken is criticaI, as rates tend to drop off with time
due to the protective nature of corrosion products that buiId up. Investigations carried
out over two years shouId smooth out annuaI variations, but wiII show Iower annuaI
corrosion rates due to the Iowering of corrosion rates with the buiId up of corrosion
products. In this standard, where two year corrosion rates of steeI onIy have been
avaiIabIe, they have been reduced by 40º to convert to ISO one year rates. This
factor is Iess important with zinc, and the corrosion rate is generaIIy considered to be
Iinear in the earIy years of exposure.
(d) The angIe of incIination of the test paneI is important, with paneIs exposed at an angIe
corroding at a different rate to those exposed verticaIIy. HorizontaI paneIs wiII
corrode at a greater rate due to higher time of wetness, increased contamination and
the ponding` effect discussed in CIause 2.3.4. The direction the paneI is exposed,
whether north, south, east or west is aIso important as it wiII infIuence time of
wetness and contamination deposition.
(e) The composition of a metaI is important. Copper-containing steeI tends to corrode at a
Iower rate than miId steeI paneIs. Other eIements in miId steeI can aIso infIuence
corrosion rates, aIthough to a Iesser extent. In this standard, where surveys have used
copper-containing steeIs for corrosivity investigations, the corrosion rate has been
muItipIied by 1.1 to give an approximate corrosion rate of miId steeI. AIIoys in zinc
such as copper, titanium and iron in zinc paneIs may cause significant variations in
the corrosion rate of this metaI.
(f) Surface roughness is an important infIuence on initiaI corrosion rate with a rough
surface retaining particuIates and water, and a smooth surface aIIowing water to fIow
away or dry easier.
NOTE: SurIacc trcatmcnt such as passivation oI zinc shouId Iowcr thc initiaI corrosion ratc oI this
mctaI.
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(g) The height above sea IeveI that tests have been carried out has been shown to be
important, with increased corrosion rates as the height increases up to a height in the
order of 10 m in severe marine environments. This is probabIy due to increased wind
speed and chIoride deposition. The effect is IikeIy to be of Iess importance for more
moderate environments.
TABLE B1
RATING OF FACTORS WHICH CAN INFLUENCE MEASURED CORROSIVITY
Factors Relative rating Effect on corrosion rate
Time of wetness (TOW) Very High Increase
Chloride deposition rate Very high Increase
Presence of ponding and surfaces
that remain wet
High Increase
Surfaces regularly washed High Decrease where contaminated
Presence of industrial pollutants High Increases
Composition of metal Medium Varies
Surface roughness Medium Increases
Start up time Medium Varies
Abrasion and erosion High to low Increases
Orientation High Varies
The effect of some of these factors on corrosion rate measurements at a given site is shown
in Figure B1. These figures (see Jeffery and MeIchers, 2006 |23|) are from a test site at
BeImont Beach, on the NSW Coast just south of NewcastIe. This is a severe marine site,
about 200 metres from breaking surf. The study Iooked at the effect on corrosivity of
varying some of the factors Iisted above. The corrosion rate of miId steeI at this site varied
from around 100 to 600 µm/y within a given Iocation, simpIy by aItering some of these
factors. WhiIe Iess severe sites wouId be expected to show far Iess variation, the study
shows the difficuIties in accurateIy measuring corrosion rate. However, it is significant that
aII resuIts fit into ISO Category C5 (aIthough many are weII above the upper Iimit of
200 µm/y of that category) and identification of the correct corrosivity category is not
infIuenced by these variabIes in this exampIe.
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0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
ANG|E OF
l NO|l NATl ON Dl REOTl ON HEl GHT
Hor | zont a|
skywards
ver t | ca|
nor th-f ac| ng
ver t | ca|
sout h-f ac| ng
Hor | zont a|
gr ound-f ac| ng
S| ng| e- s| ded
exposure
West / nor t h
East / sout h
Bot h s| des
exposure
East /west
Nor t h/ sout h
Met res above
sea | eve|
2. 0 - 7. 0
0.1
0.5
1. 0

FlGURE B1 EXAMPLES OF VARlATlON OF CORROSlON RATE AT A SlNGLE SEVERE
MARlNE SlTE

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APPENDIX C
CORROSIVITY SURVEYS AND REIERENCES
(Informative)
C1 INTRODUCTION
A significant quantity of hard data on atmospheric corrosion rates (corrosivity) exists for
AustraIia. This has IargeIy been generated as a resuIt of programs conducted by CSIRO.
The work was initiated by John Moresby as earIy as 1963. He devised the technique of
exposing specimens on a reguIar grid of sites. The originaI study invoIved an exposure
period of onIy 5 months however. He had contact with BISRA (British Iron and SteeI
Research Association) and was aware of the work of Hudson and Stanners, and the
deveIopment of a Iow aIIoy copper bearing steeI (copper steeI) for use as a standard
materiaI to measure corrosivity.
This materiaI had the advantage that the measured corrosivity was independent of the smaII
variations in composition that couId be expected in separate batches produced at different
times, which has been verified by subsequent AustraIian research. NonetheIess the
specification for steeI (and aIso for zinc) to be used as a standard measuring materiaI
adopted in ISO 9226 and American standards is inadequate to ensure reproducibIe batch-to-
batch performance. The American standard (ASTM G92) partIy overcomes the probIem for
steeI by recommending that copper bearing structuraI carbon steeI (such as A36 with 0.2º
copper minimum) be used for characterising corrosivity with respect to steeI but it is not
mandatory. However the specifications for zinc in both standards are most probabIy
inadequate to define an absoIute standard materiaI.
Keith Martin (CSIRO BuiIding Research) exposed sampIes of the BISRA steeI at sites in
Papua New Guinea and MeIbourne in the earIy 1970s and found that measured corrosivity
depended on both duration of exposure and season of initiaI exposure. Rates were higher
when the duration was shorter and the initiaI season wet. He concIuded (then) 'comparison
of different sites is vaIid onIy if these conditions are taken into account' (Martin 1973 |3|).
This must be noted, as a statement of the conditions/season prevaiIing at the time of initiaI
exposure is not considered to be necessary in the standards for measuring corrosivity
(ISO 9223).
As weII as the work by CSIRO, an extensive study of environmentaI factors on the
corrosion of miId steeI (A149 grade) and Iow aIIoy steeI (Aus-Ten 50 grade) at 26 sites
throughout AustraIia was reported by Egan |2|. AII six states were incIuded and sites varied
from ruraI to heavy industriaImarine. Many of these resuIts are given in TabIe A1. The
size or angIe of exposure specimens was not mentioned. In addition, the Department of
Defence carried out a series of exposure triaIs at 16 sites in eastern and northern AustraIia
between 1988 and 1993. VerticaI copper steeI paneIs were incIuded in this work.
Paragraph C2 is a Iist of corrosivity data for steeI and zinc in AustraIia that is avaiIabIe in
pubIished papers (conference and journaI papers and pubIished reports). Where avaiIabIe,
detaiIs are given of the materiaI exposed, the time/season of initiaI exposure, the period of
exposure, and some reIevant comments on the data. The Iist is in chronoIogicaI order of
pubIication.

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C2 PUBLISHED PAPERS
|1| ELLIS OB. Effect of weather on the initial corrosion rate of sheet :inc. ASTM
proceedings, VoI 49, 152170, 1949. Work which first showed the importance of
noting initiaI exposure time for determining zinc corrosion rates.
|2| EGAN FJ. Effect of Environmental Factors on the Corrosion of Steels. AustraIasian
Corrosion Engineering, pp916, JuIy 1971. One year miId steeI and Iow aIIoy steeI
exposure at a number of industriaI and urban sites around AustraIia. Many of the
industriaI sites have now cIosed, or reduced poIIution, and corrosivity wouId be
expected to be Iower. Figures in TabIe A1 use miId steeI figures.
|3| MARTIN KG. Atmospheric corrosion of metal cladding in Papua-New Guinea and
Melbourne, AustraIasian Corrosion Engineering, May, 1928, 1973: Copper steeI
exposed at Highett, YarraviIIe, and Ascot VaIe, muItipIied by 1.1 in TabIe A1.
ResuIts for 1 and 2 years, initiaI exposures in December, JuIy, January and October.
|4| MARTIN KG and KING GA. Corrosivity Measurements at Some Australian Cities.
Corrosion AustraIasia, 6, No. 4, 1015, 1981. Copper steeI with one and two year
exposures. Two sites in MeIbourne, two in Brisbane, two in Sydney, three in
AdeIaide, four in Perth, two in Canberra and two at Hobart. ResuIts for 1 and 2 years,
initiaI exposures in February and August. Figures in TabIe A1 are for copper steeI
muItipIied by 1.1 to give miId steeI` rates.
|5| MORESBY JF, REEVES FM and SPEDDING DJ. Atmospheric corrosion testing in
Australia. Atmospheric Corrosion`, ed AiIor, WiIey, NY, (1982). At three sites in
QueensIand, BISRA copper steeI and zinc specimens were exposed verticaIIy for one
year. The corrosion rates (converted to miId steeI` by muItipIy by 1.1) are given in
TabIe A1.
|6| MARTIN KG, KING GA and MORSEBY JF. A Detailed Corrosivity Survey of
Melbourne. Division of BuiIding Research Report. (13 pages), 1982. The corrosivity
map of MeIbourne using copper steeI with initiaI exposure in March for a 1-year
period. There were 267 sites on the main grid, and a further 30 or so sites on
highways. Some resuIts were for a period of 2 years.. The map is avaiIabIe on one A4
page in a simpIified form in King Sasnaitis and TerriII 1985. Figure A1 in this
Standard is based on this work.
|7| KING GA, SASNAITIS I and TERRILL S. Environmental factors influencing the
corrosivity of Melbournes atmosphere. CSIRO Division of BuiIding Research Report
(22 pages), 1985.
|8| KING GA, and GIBBS P. Corrosivity Mapping around a Point Source of Pollution.
Corrosion Australasia. VoI 11, No. 6, 59, 1986. DetaiIed map around the APM
paper factory in metropoIitan MeIbourne (Thornbury to Hawthorn and CIifton HiII to
East Kew). Copper steeI with an initiaI exposure in March for 1 year at 61 sites.
|9| KING GA. A Corrosivity Survey on a Grid of Sites with Environments Ranging from
Rural to Moderately Severe Marine. Part 1: SteeI, GaIvanised SteeI, and ZincaIume.
Corrosion AustraIasia, VoI 13, No. 1, 511 and 14, 1988. A grid of 67 sites around
the MMBW south eastern purification pIant in Victoria (from SpringvaIe to Carrum
Downs, and Port PhiIip Bay inIand to Lyndhurst). A range of materiaIs were exposed
at aII 67 sites incIuding miId` steeI, copper steeI, gaIvanized steeI and zincaIume
enabIing reasonabIe reIationships to be estabIished between them. This study is the
one that has been used in the past to convert copper steeI rates to miId` steeI rates.
The exposure period was 2 years.
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|10| KING GA, and CARBERRY, B. Atmospheric Corrosivity of the Greater Newcastle
Region. CSIRO Division of BuiIding, Construction and Engineering TechnicaI Report
TR 92/1 (44 pages and printed NewcastIe Corrosivity Map), 1992. This is the best-
characterised region in AustraIia with measurements of the corrosion of copper steeI
at 142 sites, as weII as miId` steeI and zinc at a few sites. This report has the Iarge
scaIe printed map and detaiIed anaIysis. Figure A2 in this standard is based on this
work.
|11| KING GA, and CARBERRY B. The Newcastle corrosivity map. its contouring
methodology and features. Paper 11, at AustraIasian Corrosion Association
Conference 33, Corrosion and Prevention`, 2125 Nov., NewcastIe, AustraIia, 1993.
This is an ACA conference paper and has a tabIe of resuIts for sites within 5km of the
ocean, and a pIot of individuaI resuIts (as opposed to Iines of modeIs) versus distance
from the ocean for Greater NewcastIe, the Victor Harbor region of SA, and south-east
MeIbourne.
|12| KING GA. Corrosivity mappinga sensitive and cost effective means of
characterising a regions levels of atmospheric corrosion. Paper 638, NationaI
Association of Corrosion Engineers AnnuaI Conference Corrosion 93`, March, New
OrIeans, USA, 1993.
|13| KING GA, KAPETAS J and BATES-BROWNSWORD D. Corrosivity mapping used
for transmission line maintenance by the Electricity Trust of South Australia. Proc.
Corrosion & Prevention 94: AustraIasian Corrosion Assoc. Conf., AustraIia, 2730
Nov, paper 60, 1994. This paper describes the resuIts (for both one and two years
exposure) for copper steeI for the state. It incIudes a very usefuI tabIe with minimum,
maximum, mean (and standard deviation) resuIts for 13 sections of the state. These
sub data sets were used to modeI the corrosivity at the oceanfront to assist in
producing corrosivity contours. The paper incIudes a singIe A4 size map of the one
year corrosivity of copper steeI for the centraI regions of the state (from west of
Spencer guIf to Murray Bridge in the east and from Kangaroo IsIand in the south to
just north of Port Augusta). Corrosivity contours from 10 to 50 micrometres/year are
incIuded. This map was reproduced in the journaI Engineers AustraIia October 1994
p43. Figure A3 in this Standard is based on this work.
|14| KING GA, SPICER M and KAO P. Contour mapping the suIfur and chIorine contents
of steeI corrosion productsa new approach for characterizing the atmospheric
environment. Towards Corrosion Prevention. 13th Int. Corrosion Conf., MeIbourne,
2529 Nov. 1996. This has a coIour map of the corrosivity of copper steeI across
NewcastIe on a singIe A4 page. AIso CSIRO BCE Tech. Paper TP98/1, February
(CSIRO AustraIia), 1998.
|15| SMITH BS, DUXBURY EJ and MOORE BT. Atmospheric Corrosivity of Defence
bases in Northern and Eastern Australia. UncIassified DSTO Report DSTO-GD-
0123, (February 1997). Figures for Copper-steeI 1.5 (caIcuIation in report) used
where resuIts are quoted in TabIe A1.
|16| KING GA and DUNCAN JR. Some apparent limitations in using the ISO atmospheric
corrosivity categories. Corrosion and MateriaIs, 23(1), 814 and 2225. Feb. 1998.
This paper is a detaiIed anaIysis of some inadequacies of the ISO cIassifications and
procedures.
|17| JEFFREY R, KING GA and SUMMERS W. Corrosion rates of metallic coated steel
wires and metallic coupons in atmospheric environments. AustraIasian Corrosion
Assoc. Corrosion & Prevention98 Conf., Hobart, 2225 Nov, 1998. ResuIts for zinc
at two sites, BeImont and Burwood beaches. This paper aIso has resuIts for zinc for
BeIIambi Point (near WoIIongong), Dubbo, Darwin, and BirdsviIIe.
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|18| KING GA and BUECHER U. Accelerated assessment of atmospheric corrosion
performance of fasteners. Proc. Corrosion and Prevention 1999: 39th AnnuaI Conf. of
the AustraIasian Corrosion Assoc., Sydney, AustraIia, 2124 Nov. 1999, paper no. 14,
1999. This paper has a concise summary of environmentaI conditions (incIuding
corrosion rates for carbon steeI and zinc) for two sites at FIinders, Victoria and
BeIIambi Point and SheIIharbor at WoIIongong.
|19| KING GA GANTHER WD and COLE IS. Studies at sites progressively inland from
the coast to aid development of a geographic information system map of Australian
corrosivity. Proc. Corrosion and Prevention 1999: 39th AnnuaI Conf. of the
AustraIasian Corrosion Assoc., Sydney, AustraIia, 2124 Nov. 1999, paper no. 41. A
transect of ten sites (straight Iine) coming in from the coast at Kingston SA into the
Wimmera district of Victoria, 156 kiIometres from the ocean. AIso, ten sites in NSW
on a (bent) Iine extending inIand from Nowra to Narrandera (incIuding Canberra)
some 356 kiIometres from the coast. SaIt concentration was measured. The report
contains pIots of saIt concentration and corrosion rates of copper steeI and zinc versus
distance from the coast. A hyperboIic modeI was fitted to describe the data.
|20| KING GA PIKUL S SHERMAN N and GANTHER WD. InfIuence of composition
and thickness on the atmospheric corrosion of steeI and zinc and the impIications for
standards, specificaIIy ISO 9226. CORROSION, 57, No. 2, February, 153-164.
Exposures of copper steeI, miId steeI and three different types of zinc with various
start times at FIinders, Victoria, a severe marine site at NewcastIe, a site at the
Atherton TabIeIand in north QueensIand and Darwin. The paper has a detaiIed
discussion on the infIuence of composition and start time on the corrosivity of both
steeI and zinc.
|21| KING GA, BUECHER U, ROBERTS D and GANTHER W. Influence of
season´exposure start time on :inc corrosion, and implications for standard tests of
fastener durability. Proc. Corrosion and Prevention 2001: 41st AnnuaI Conf of the
AustraIasian Corrosion Assoc., NewcastIe AustraIia, 18-21 Nov 2001. Work carried
out at extreme marine sites at Port Fairy, Victoria and NewcastIe. AIso three month
resuIts for zinc for King IsIand and TownsviIIe. Corrosion rates of zinc, miId¨ steeI,
and copper steeI were measured with different start times. This is an important paper
in the context of designing standard procedures for measuring corrosivity.
|22| CSIRO DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING, CONTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING,
Various internaI reports.
|23| JEFFREY R and MELCHERS RE. Early observations of corrosion losses for steels at
a severe marine atmospheric site, Corrosion and Prevention 2006, paper 028,
November 2006.

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APPENDIX D
CORROSIVITY SECTIONS IN OTHER STANDARDS
(Informative)
D1 GENERAL
This Appendix provides information on corrosivity zones and categories in a number of
AustraIian Standards pubIished over the Iast twenty years or so to enabIe the corrosivity
categories described in this Standard to be reIated to those that may have been specified or
used in other Standards or in the past. Defining corrosivity in terms of corrosion rates of
miId steeI, and the arbitrary divisions given in ISO 9223, have onIy been adopted recentIy.
PreviousIy, corrosivity was defined in terms on geographic Iocations, and there can onIy be
an approximate reIationship to corrosivity defined in terms of corrosion rates. However, this
Appendix shouId enabIe approximate conversion to be made.
D2 CORROSIVITY ZONES IN AS/NZS 2312
TabIe D1 summarizes the corrosivity zones according to this Standard, showing the reIevant
ISO category, miId steeI corrosion rate and the approximate equivaIent zones in the 1994
and 1984 versions of AS/NZS 2312. The ISO categories were adopted in the 1994 edition of
this standard, but some changes were made. The C2 category was feIt to be too Iarge, and
ISO C4 high and C5 very high categories were combined to give a singIe severe marine
category. In the 1984 version, geographicaI zones onIy were defined. As can be seen by
TabIe D1, these had the effect of spIitting the C2 Iow category into three divisions, and the
C3 moderate, C4 high and C5 very high categories were spIit onIy into marine and
industriaI. The C1 very Iow was not defined in these standards.
TABLE D1
CORROSION ZONES COMPARED TO EARLIER VERSIONS OF AS/NZS 2312
ISO
Category
Description Corrosion
Rate
µm/y
Equivalent in
AS/NZS 2312:
2002
Equivalent in
AS/NZS 2312:
1994
Approx. equivalent in
AS 2312~1984
C1 Very low ·1.3 A ÷ ÷
Mild÷rural arid Mild
Mild÷rural/mild
C2 Low 1.3÷25 B
Moderate Moderate÷urban/light
industrial
Industrial Severe industrial C3 Medium 25÷50 C
Marine Very severe÷
coastal/marine
Industrial Severe industrial C4 High 50÷80 D
Marine Very severe÷coastal
marine
C-5I Very high÷
industrial
80÷200 E-I Industrial Severe industrial
C-5M Very high÷
marine
80÷200 E-M Marine Very severe÷
coastal/marine
(T) Tropical ÷ F Tropical Very severe÷tropical
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33 AS 4312~2008

www.standards.org.au Standards Australia
D3 CORROSIVITY ZONES IN OTHER STANDARDS
D3.1 Geneval
A number of other AustraIian Standards mention corrosivity categories, usuaIIy based on
those given in AS/NZS 2312. As these Standards have been produced at various times
between the revisions of AS/NZS 2312, they may not refer to the most recent edition. AIso,
for Iower durabiIity coatings or products, the more severe categories may not be reIevant.
Therefore, the way that corrosivity categories have been designated may not reIate directIy
to the current edition of AS/NZS 2312. In future, it is hoped that this Standard (AS 4312)
wiII be the reference point for discussions on corrosivity in any AustraIian Standards. Some
Standards with sections on corrosivity are described in the foIIowing paragraphs.
D3.2 AS 1231÷2000, Aluminium and aluminium alloys÷Anodic oxidation coatings
This Standard defines five categories numbered 1 to 5 IargeIy the same as the first five
categories (A) to (E) in AS/NZS 2312:1994. A Very Severe category was mentioned, but
not given a number as it is not appIicabIe to these coatings.
D3.3 AS/NZS 2699.3:2002, Built-in components for masonry construction÷
Part 3: Lintels and shelf angles (durability requirements)
This Standard uses durabiIity cIassifications giving corrosion resistance performance
requirements based on chIoride deposition rates.
D3.4 AS/NZS 2728:1997, Prefinished/prepainted sheet metal products for
interior/exterior building applications÷Performance requirements÷Appendix B
The categories appear identicaI to those in AS/NZS 2312:1994 but the Standard adds a very
severe category, making the scheme identicaI to AS/NZS 2312:2002.
D3.5 AS 2423÷2002, Coated steel wire fencing products for terrestrial, aquatic and
general use÷Appendix C
Covers zinc and zinc-aIuminium coatings. Categories Iisted in Paragraph C3 are identicaI to
those described in Section 2 of AS/NZS 2312:2002, but the Standard adds cIimatic
definitions of the tropicaI environment.
D3.6 AS 3566.2÷2002, Self-drilling screws for the building and construction
industries÷Part 2: Corrosion resistance requirements
This Standard does not give detaiIs of environments, but describes corrosion resistance
performance requirements of various cIasses of fasteners. These cIassifications can be
reIated to the environment to which they can be used. To a first approximation, CIasses 1, 2,
3 and 4 from AS 3566.2 are suitabIe in environments cIassified C1, C2, C3 and C4
respectiveIy.



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AS 4312~2008 34

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35 AS 4312~2008

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AS 4312~2008 36

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