Empa Researchers Study Metal Corrosion to Improve Building Durability
Empa researchers are investigating the causes and development of metal corrosion in buildings and cultural sites to support more durable protection strategies. Corrosion remains a significant cause of material loss and economic damage.
Researchers at Empa are analyzing the corrosion of metal components in buildings and developing more economical and sustainable methods for protecting structures from long-term environmental damage.
Corrosion continues to pose a significant technical, environmental, and economic challenge, despite a notable decline since the 1980s. Globally, several tons of steel are lost to corrosion every second, with estimated economic costs amounting to 3% to 4% of an industrialized nation's GDP.
Empa researcher Ulrik Hans contributes corrosion rate data to the international ICP Materials network, involving over 60 sites. In collaboration with Switzerland's Federal Office for the Environment, standardized metal samples, including weather-resistant steel and recyclable titanium-zinc, are used.
Long-term measurements indicate substantial improvements, partly attributed to a sharp reduction in sulfur dioxide pollution. However, researchers caution about future risks from ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, volatile hydrocarbons, and climate change. Empa is also employing advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to enhance corrosion predictions, while the ICP Materials program assesses risks at 26 UNESCO World Heritage sites to guide preservation efforts.