Corrosion control of subsea piping systems using thermal sprayed aluminum coatings

The operating performance of thermal sprayed aluminum (TSA) coatings has been well documented in seawater environments. The performance of these coatings in saline muds has not been previously quantified. This type of data is required for applications involving subsea piping systems. Four- and 12-month exposure tests were conducted in natural Gulf of Mexico sea mud, and the performance of TSA coatings quantified in terms of their ability to adequately cathodically protect various amounts of bare steel. Performance has been further quantified by determining their corrosion rate and corresponding life in these environments.