Abstract
The Riotinto Pier was constructed more than 100 years ago to ship the pyrite minerals of the Rio Tinto Co. Ltd. The mines are situated about 50 miles from the seaport of Huelva and transport was provided by a single track railway. Commercial use of the pier ceased in 1975 and it was abandoned soon afterwards. At present it is being restored for recreational use. The pier was constructed from two typical nineteenth century ferrous materials: cast iron and wrought iron. Corrosion has been most severe in the splash zone: Various types of corrosion have been observed: general corrosion (including corrosion in contact with wood), exfoliation, pitting, graphitisation, galvanic corrosion, deposit ClJrrosion, and packing corrosion. A curious form of attack on wrought iron fasteners, designated as ‘flower corrosion’, is described.
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