Corrosion and Quality

Corrosion is an interaction between a material and its environment that results in deterioration of both. Quality has a wider meaning and designates the suitability of products, management quality and work. Corrosion is a phenomenon, and quality is a philosophical category. The aim of this work is to find common ground between corrosion and quality. We encounter degradation of materials and the environment in everyday life. Corrosion influences the quality of work, products, management, environment and life. The aspects of corrosion correspond to the various meanings of quality. Corrosion costs may be considered as part of the total costs of quality. Corrosion costs are estimated to be as high as 5% of the GNP in various countries.Most corrosion costs can be saved and quality improved by means of control measures, analysis of failures, dissemination of knowledge, and use of monitoring techniques. Anti-corrosion management quality includes design, manufacture, improvement, and control at all stages.Presented at 15th International Conference on Quality in Israel, November 2004