Mineral wool has been widely used for several decades as the primary thermal insulation on piping and equipment. As Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is a key challenge in the heavy industrial segment, it has been a mineral wool industry focus to reduce any effects insulation materials may contribute in relation to corrosion.
An important step forward in the process of improving the material in relation to CUI, is the incorporation of corrosion inhibitors within the insulation. Such inhibitors will be activated in case of water ingress and pro-actively mitigate the effects of CUI.
By screening of a number of corrosion inhibitor mixtures for efficiency in a CUI environment, it has been possible to identify an effective mixture that can work in a CUI environment. It was also possible to find a method to incorporate the inhibitors in the insulation.
Testing to ASTM G189 proved that the mineral wool with inhibitors provides corrosion protection in an accelerated CUI environment. Mineral wool with inhibitors will not prevent CUI but may be used to complement the coating systems where there are initial defects, thereby reducing the risk of premature CUI events.