Microbial corrosion (MIC) is a type of corrosion that is caused by the presence and activities of microorganisms. While there’s a wide variety of different types of corrosion that exists, MIC is particularly threatening to certain industries because it is so difficult to detect and can be very costly if not discovered early on.
MIC can affect a wide range of industries, including:
- Oil and gas: Microbial corrosion can occur in pipelines and storage tanks in the oil and gas industry, leading to costly repairs and reduced efficiency.
- Water treatment: Microbial corrosion can occur in water treatment plants, leading to the release of potentially harmful substances into the water supply.
- Food processing: Microbial corrosion can occur in food processing plants and storage facilities, leading to contamination of food products and potential health risks for consumers.
- Marine: Microbial corrosion can occur on ships, offshore platforms, and other marine structures, leading to reduced structural integrity and safety concerns.
- Industrial: Microbial corrosion can occur in a variety of industrial settings, such as chemical plants, power plants, and manufacturing facilities, leading to reduced efficiency and potentially hazardous situations.
- Infrastructure: Microbial corrosion can occur in infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and buildings, leading to reduced lifespan and the need for costly repairs.
Overall, microbial corrosion can have significant economic impacts, as well as potential health and safety risks, for a wide range of industries. The cost of corrosion has been estimated to be $2.5 trillion annually—with more than $500 billion of this cost may be due to MIC. Investing in MIC prevention is worth it for industries looking to save significant time and money.
Learn how Corrolytics provides a faster and more accurate MIC testing process.