Outdoor–indoor corrosion of metals in tropical coastal atmospheres

Results of indoor and outdoor atmospheric corrosion tests conducted during a long period of time at Cuba and Campeche (Mexico) indicated very high corrosion rates at both sites which have humid-tropical marine climate. We found that the outdoor corrosivity ranges from C3 to >C5 according to ISO 9223 nevertheless metals exposed to sheltered conditions presented higher corrosion rates compared to outdoors, whereas in closed (indoor) environments the corrosion rate significantly decreased. It is recommended to define an additional level of corrosivity for tropical coastal atmospheres in outdoor and sheltered conditions as corrosion depends on the geographical position and exposure conditions.