Improving corrosion resistance of fastener systems for improved integrity, safety and reduced cost

螺母和螺栓等紧固件是加拿大基础设施、海洋和石油天然气行业结构安全可靠运行不可或缺的组成部分。虽然它们是成本相对较低的项目，但它们的失败可能导致灾难性的后果。腐蚀被认为是紧固件失效的最主要原因。腐蚀是一种自然发生的现象，加拿大的直接成本估计高达464亿美元（2003年）。位于不列颠哥伦比亚省温哥华的Intermetallica公司开发了一种钢的表面处理方法，使新型耐腐蚀合金成为可能。由金属间化合物制成的材料由于其特殊的物理、化学和/或机械性能而在过去几十年中一直是重要的研究和开发努力的主题。已经观察到，合金可以表现出高硬度，具有增加的机械强度，抗腐蚀和氧化和/或改善摩擦和磨损行为。该项目旨在表征金属间化合物表面合金，探索其在ASTM A193-B7紧固件系统中的应用，并评估该技术在提高耐腐蚀性、延长使用寿命和增强加拿大基础设施资产的安全性和完整性方面的潜力。将制定筛选试验方案，以便快速确定与用于上部结构腐蚀防护的现有涂层技术相关的性能。

Fasteners such as nuts and bolts are integral in providing safe and reliable operation of structures across infrastructure, marine and oil & gas industries in Canada. Although they are relatively low-cost items, their failures may result in catastrophic consequences. Corrosion is recognized as the foremost contributor to fastener failure. Corrosion is a naturally occurring phenomenon with a staggering estimated direct cost of $46.4 billion in Canada (2003). Intermetallica based in Vancouver BC has developed a surface treatment for steels that enables a new class of corrosion resistant alloys. Materials made of intermetallic compounds have been the subject of significant research and development efforts over the past decades due to their special physical, chemical and/or mechanical properties. It has been observed that alloys can exhibit a high hardness, possess an increased mechanical strength, resist corrosion and oxidation and/or improve friction and wear behaviour. This project will aim to characterize intermetallic surface alloys, explore the application to ASTM A193-B7 fastener systems and evaluate the potential of this technology to improve corrosion resistance, extend service life and enhance the safety and integrity of Canadian infrastructure assets. A screening test protocol will be developed in order to rapidly determine performance relative to incumbent coating technologies employed for topside corrosion protection.