The corrosion of machinery in H.M. ships

Corrosion in H.M. ships' machinery is shown to present a series of constantly changing problems as greater speeds and efficiency are demanded. Partly as a result of the vast experience accumulated through the strenuous conditions of war-time operation, current problems are not very numerous but are spread over a wide range of environments. To illustrate this, examples are cited from sea-water, distilled-water, steam, hydraulic-fluid and forced-lubrication systems and of surfaces subjected to fuel-oil combustion products and damp atmospheres. The components considered include Diesel-engine cylinder liners, boilers, chromium-iron turbine blading, various non-ferrous components in steam lines, cylinders and bearings in hydraulic fluids, and gearing and bearings in forced-lubrication systems. Remedial measures are discussed and some recent innovations to reduce corrosion are described. It is emphasized that sea-water contamination and periods when machinery is standing idle are two major factors that influence the liability to corrosion in naval vessels.