This paper describes a method for inhibiting corrosion within enclosed structural voids that are encountered in some military vehicles. The method is based on the use of rigid, closed-celled polymer foams to block entry of corrosive media and displace unoccupied volume. Results of laboratory seawater exposure tests of foam-tilled structural steel tubular specimens with interior surfaces that were as-manufactured, pre-corroded, or protected with a paraffin-based corrosion control coating will be discussed in the context of foam adherence and water absorbing characteristics. The effectiveness of the method is presented through comparisons of corrosion progress in treated and untreated specimens.
Keywords: corrosion control retrofit, closed-cell polymeric foams, steel structural cavities, ground vehicles.