Abstract
The object of this study is to clarify the corrosion mechanism of surface-coated steel and the deterioration progress of its surface coating in a marine environment. Taking into consideration that deterioration resulting from damaged surface coating is an issue in actual steel structures, the effect of damage in the surface coating on the progress of deterioration was investigated through marine environment exposure tests and submersion tests in the laboratory. Results: Coated steels in the splash zone, tidal zone, and submerged zone deteriorated in different manners. Defects in the surface coating had much effect on the progress of deterioration. The thickness of the surface coating and the presence of organic zinc primer also affected the deterioration rate. These results led to formulation of deterioration models of coated steel in a marine environment.
