Japanese steelmaker Sumitomo Metal Industries (Sumitomo Metals) has developed a new tin-added corrosion-resistant steel that can be used in salt-containing environments, such as in marine environments or in cold climates where anti-freezing agents are sprayed.
Based on the nature of the corrosion mechanism of steel coating in high salt-containing environments, Sumitomo Metals concluded that adding a trace of tin can significantly improve corrosion resistance. As a result, bridges made of this new steel are expected to lengthen the intervals between repaints and reduce repainting workload. Lengthening the intervals between repaints or lightening repainting workload will result in reduction in maintenance and management costs for bridges.
Sumitomo Metals also stated that it will carry out further studies on longer durations between repaints and maintenance and the simplification of repainting work. Accordingly, the company will contribute to cost reduction over the lifetime of steel bridges and savings in public work investment.