1. Introduction to Corrosion

1.5 Costs of Corrosion


  • The annual cost of corrosion in USA alone is estimated to be about 300 billion US$ or 4.2% of GNP as shown by 1995 update of the 1975 study by Battelle.

  • At least 35% of the above amount could have been saved by taking appropriate corrosion control measures.

  • In UK, the corrosion cost is estimated to be 4-5% of the GNP.

  • In Japan, the cost of corrosion is estimated to be 4 Trillion Yen per year.

  • For industrialized nations, the average corrosion cost of 3.5-4.5% of the GNP. The cost is down from 4.9% in 1975.

Below are some startling figures about corrosion losses:

  • The cost of corrosion in civilian and military aircrafts is about 13 billion US$.

  • The annual cost of corrosion in developed nations is a staggering 4-5% of GNP. About 30-50% per year could be saved by using corrosion control techniques.

  • The corrosion-free life of automobiles in the coastal regions of Arabian Gulf is about 6 months only.

  • Nearly 95% of concrete damage in the Arabian Gulf coastal region is caused by reinforced corrosion and spalling of concrete.

  • Major corrosion losses to the tune of £350 million in transport, £280 million in marine, £250 million in buildings and construction, and £180 million in oil and chemical industries, have been reported from UK.

  • About $120 billion is spent on maintenance of aging and deteriorating infrastructures in USA. Over 50% of USAF fleet is more than 20 years old. Some of them are designed for service until they are 70-80 years old. USAF corrosion costs are $0.25 to 1 million per plane.

  • Automotive corrosion in USA costs $94 billion.

  • Every new born baby in the world now has a corrosion debt of $35.

Click here for a latest estimate of the cost of corrosion and its distribution in the USA.