Corrosion threshold data of metallic materials in various operating environment of offshore wind turbine parts (tower, foundation, and nacelle/gearbox)

This paper outlines corrosion thresholds for different environmental conditions of metallic materials commonly used in the tower, foun- dation, and nacelle/gearbox of an offshore wind turbine. These threshold values were derived from laboratory corrosion testing employing electrochemical analysis techniques, using the media/ solvents that are representative to the operating environment of those wind turbine parts, such as seawater, grease, oils/lubricants, or their combination, at room temperature and at 328K. These values can provide an indication when general/local corrosion or protective film/surface damages have occurred. They can thus be utilised for detecting and monitoring corrosion at certain locations in the wind turbine structure. The presented data have been verified and vali- dated to ensure their repeatability and reliability by means of numerous laboratory tests in accordance to the relevant engineering test standards and an extensive literature/published data review.