23 June 2025

As the use of stainless steel in urban infrastructure continues to grow, a concerning pattern is emerging—avoidable corrosion is appearing in installations designed to be long-lasting and low maintenance. Why is this happening?

In this steelTalk, we take a close look at the key corrosion types commonly found in urban environments and explore the straightforward practices that can prevent them. From street furniture to people-mover systems and protective structures, stainless steel offers both durability and visual appeal—but only when correctly specified and maintained.

Drawing on real-world examples, this session will also explain how subtle environmental differences between urban locations influence corrosion mechanisms, offering engineers, designers, and city planners a clearer understanding of what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to corrosion prevention in the cityscape.

Key takeaways:

  • Recognise the most common forms of corrosion found in urban settings
  • Learn simple yet effective ways to prevent corrosion in stainless steel applications
  • Understand how urban environmental factors affect corrosion mechanisms
  • Gain insights into the role of location-specific variables in designing for durability

Speaker:

Tim Collins, Secretary-General of worldstainless, brings decades of stainless steel expertise to the discussion, from metallurgy and operations to global leadership in promoting best practices.

Understanding Corrosion Chapter 3: Corrosion in Urban Settings

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