Preventing corrosion in your compressed-air network

• What do we mean by corrosion? 
• What causes corrosion?
• How do you prevent corrosion?

Estimated time to read: 2 minutes

Corrosion? It’s also known as rust, oxidation, and a problem. As your metal corrodes, it will release impurities into your compressed air. Corrosion has the potential to reduce the diameters of your pipes, and as such, restrict the flow of air. Basically, corrosion is a glass-half-empty situation where there’s little in the way of good news. 

Corrosion is a natural process. It occurs when untreated metal comes into contact with corrosive elements such as oxygen, hydrogen or hydroxide. Water belongs on the list too. In fact, it belongs at the top of the list: water contains both hydrogen and oxygen and causes corrosion at a faster rate than other corrosive elements.  

Any form of steel that is sensitive to and in contact with corrosive elements will corrode. The solution? A treatment that stops contact between corrosive elements and your metal? A great idea! However, it’s not always possible. And even if it is, water is such a troublemaker, it will eventually end up finding a way to break through the protective treatment and cause problems.

This is why, in the world of compressed air, we put the emphasis on removing water – or condensation – before it hits your pipe network. How?

• Install a cyclone separator with an automatic condensate separator. It sounds complicated, right? It’s not. A cyclone separator is usually able to be installed directly in your air compressor. If not? There’s still no need to stress. There are cyclone separators that will install into your network directly downstream from your air compressor.
• Filters and boilers may also release some moisture. It’s inevitable in some cases, but in others, it’s caused by unwanted leaks. Keep an eye out for them.
• A compressed air dryer  – whether it’s a cooling or adsorption dryer – is highly effective.

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