CORROSION - Study of material durability in the face of climate change: atmospheric corrosion in the Caribbean - Proyectos - ADELANTE 2

CORROSION - Study of material durability in the face of climate change: atmospheric corrosion in the Caribbean

Partnership
Project

Background

The effects of climate change on the durability of materials has been a topic of discussion for several years. The phenomenon of atmospheric corrosion is linked to climate change, conditioned by the environmental characteristics to which the material is exposed; in particular, atmospheric parameters and pollutant levels. For example, an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can undoubtedly affect the durability of reinforced concrete, the most widely used construction material in the world. In addition, changes in the production and transport of chloride ions are the main causes of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures in coastal areas.

Cuba, Mexico and recently, the Guadeloupe Islands (France), all have institutions dedicated to the study of corrosion, related to the corrosive aggressiveness of the atmosphere and the protection of materials. In this regard, the CNIC, CICORR and UA-GTSI are centres of excellence for staff training. The CNIC is one of the leading institutions in the region in the evaluation of atmospheric corrosion and the durability of materials under different conditions. CICORR provides basic and applied scientific knowledge on the degradation and preservation of industrial, civil, industrial and historical infrastructure in the region and throughout the country. It also has a National Laboratory of Sciences for the Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage. The GTSI specialises in polymer ageing/degradation studies and physical-chemical characterisation, with high-tech equipment for this type of study. The CNIC has worked closely with both institutions on a non-profit basis. It has also worked with CICORR since the 1990s and with GTSI since 2017. All exchanges have been carried out through scientific partnership agreements aimed at studying the durability of materials in their different forms, which has led to an increase in technical, material and scientific knowledge capacities. Through this collaboration, it has been possible to publish scientific articles in specialised journals, present papers at scientific events, and provide training for scientific and professional staff.

Entities and roles

Beneficiary entities

Centro de Investigaciones en Corrosión - UACAM

Mexico

First provider entities

BioCubaFarma - Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas

Cuba

Second provider entities

Groupe de Technologie des Surfaces et Interfaces - GTSI, Université des Antilles

France

Development challenges

The corrosion of metallic materials exposed to the atmosphere is one of the main causes of material deterioration. Therefore, determining the potential levels of corrosion to which a material will be exposed makes it possible to estimate its useful life, if left unprotected. The complex interaction between materials and changes in environmental factors caused by climate change cannot be ignored. For example, areas that have been classified as C4 and C5 (atmosphere classification categories according to their corrosive aggressiveness) have now been upgraded to higher categories, C5 and CX respectively, according to ISO 9223:2012.

Evidence of this can be seen in the large influx of Sargassum algae, which is affecting the tropical coastal areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. During their decomposition process, the algae mainly release toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3). These contaminants have contributed, for instance, to the intensification of the phenomenon of premature corrosion of electro-electronic equipment.

Therefore, the collaboration between institutions in the LAC region (CNIC and CICORR) with specialists from the UA-GTSI (France) will make it possible to obtain and update the data on atmospheric corrosion in the areas involved for a future project, in particular in the Caribbean. This will be done by providing training in the different standardised tests to identify, classify and estimate atmospheric corrosivity based on environmental characteristics.

This Triangular Cooperation project aims to evaluate the durability of materials in the face of climate change in areas of the Caribbean, based on the corrosive aggressiveness of the atmosphere.

Triangular approach

This project aims to replicate processes through professional training with regard to the study of material durability, based on studies of the corrosive aggressiveness of the atmosphere.

Furthermore, with the expertise of experts, researchers and scientific staff from UA-GTSI (France), the transfer of knowledge on topics related to the ageing and degradation of polymers under different conditions of exposure will be facilitated; which can lead to substantial scientific work while taking into account the characteristics of each of the regions involved. All of the professional training provided will promote the specialisation of current staff as well as the training of new professionals.

Traditionally, the CNIC has had bilateral collaborations with CICORR and recently with UA-GTSI. However, a triangular exchange will further strengthen the training and innovation capacities of the staff of these institutions, and allow for new research on the topics developed within them. Triangular Cooperation is based on the need for technical capacity building in developing countries, and also provides an opportunity to create partnerships and participate in strategic action networks formed by Ibero-American countries, maximising the potential of this modality to achieve the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.

Sectoral approach - Contribution to the 2030 Agenda

Primary SDG

Goal 11.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage

Secondary SDG

Goal 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

ADELANTE SDG

Goal 17.16 Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

Territorial approach

Intervention methodology

The initiative will begin with a visit by CNIC (1) and GTSI (1) specialists to CICORR to define the tasks and activities to be carried out in accordance with the project's objectives, which will enable direct contact between researchers and students from Cuba, Mexico and France with other colleagues. Four key activities will be established during the visit:

1.   Training of personnel.
2.   Organisation of the working session to be held during the VII International Symposium on the Environment (VII SIMA 2023).
3.   At different stages of the project, the content and development of the theses of the master's students involved in this project will be discussed, along with the experimental activities carried out and the international publications resulting from this collaboration.
4.   A scientific workshop will be held, where the results achieved during implementation of the project will be presented.

Direct beneficiaries (individuals)

All persons participating in the activities of the project.

The main beneficiaries of the project will be CICORR specialists, through the training and education of a specialist in the field of ageing and degradation of polymeric materials. This topic has been introduced at CICORR and has served as an appropriate framework for its development, recognition, training and implementation of testing techniques. This scientific exchange will increase their expertise in the topics to be explored in future research and projects to be pursued through similar partnerships.

Budget

EU contribution: 68,629.80 €

Co-financing - Triangular Cooperation Partnership: 27,385.00 €

Total budget: 96,014.80 €

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