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Aggressive Media

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Definition: Aggressive media are chemical or physico-chemical substances that can damage materials through corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, hydrogen uptake or erosion. These include acids, alkalis, chloride-containing solutions, high-temperature water and hydrogen-bearing process atmospheres. The assessment takes into account temperature, pressure, concentration and flow conditions.

Practical relevance: In chemical plants, power stations, offshore or pressure-equipment systems, aggressive media decisively determine the material selection and the corrosion-protection concept. Key parameters are the corrosion rate (mm/year), pitting potential, pH value, redox potential and material properties in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8044. Incorrect assessments can lead to leaks, HTHA damage or premature component failure.

Decision-making perspectives:

  • Technical decision-makers: selection of suitable alloys, coatings or cathodic protection systems under defined operating parameters.
  • Purchasing/project management: definition of resistance verifications, specifications and test requirements in the requirement specification.
  • Science: analysis of electrochemical mechanisms, polarisation curves, long-term exposure tests.
  • Insurance/law: proof of standard-compliant material selection, documentation of the risk and hazard assessment.

Typical testing or verification methods: corrosion testing, salt spray test (DIN EN ISO 9227), electrochemical polarisation measurements, materials analysis.

FAQ:

  • How is resistance to aggressive media assessed?
  • Through standardised laboratory tests, field tests and the quantitative determination of the corrosion rate under defined boundary conditions.
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