Titanic Corrosion

Susai Rajendran, Gurmeet Singh

• Publisher: Jenny Stanford Publishing
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN: 9781000758061
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Chemistry
• Index: Chemistry

The word "titanic" reminds one of the majestic ship Titanic and James Cameron's epic romance movie Titanic—in many cases the film first and the ship next. The Titanic was the world's largest passenger ship when it entered service, measuring 269 m (882 feet) in length, and the largest man-made moving object on earth. The colossal ship and the epic movie inspired the authors, Susai Rajendran (professor of chemistry) and Gurmeet Singh (a renowned academic administrator and an internationally reputed expert in the field of corrosion science and smart materials) to study why the Titanic collapsed. The main reason seems to be bimetallic corrosion, also known as galvanic corrosion. This book discusses various aspects of galvanic corrosion, namely causes, consequences, methods of control, and case studies. It also reports research on the causes of corrosion of the sunken ship, including microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and metallurgical failure. The book is a great reference for research scholars in the field of corrosion, graduate- and postgraduate-level students, the general public, and marine engineers.

Chapter 1

The RMS Titanic

“Titanic” means gigantic. The Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Titanic (subsequently referred to as the Titanic) (Fig. 1.1) was the world’s largest passenger ship when she entered service. She was as long as three football fields (882 feet, or 269 m, in length). Her height was 32 m (104 feet). The volume of space within her hull and the enclosed space above the deck totalled 2831.68 liters (46,328 gross register tons), and she displaced 52,310 tons. [1]. She was one of the first ships to have a telephone system and electric lights in all the rooms. She had four elevators, a heated swimming pool, two barber shops, two libraries, a kennel for first-class dogs, a Turkish bath, a squash court, and a gymnasium; she even had her own on-board newspaper, The Atlantic Daily Bulletin.

The Titanic carried 16 wooden lifeboats and 4 collapsible boats were carried, enough to accommodate 1178 people.

On the night of April 14, 1912, on her maiden voyage, the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912. Over 1500 people died. The remains of the Titanic’s wreck sit on the seabed more than 12,415 feet (3784 m) beneath the surface, resting and reacting with seawater and microorganisms.

Figure 1.1 The Titanic [1].

1.1 Special Features of the Titanic

1.1.1 Power

There were three main engines in the Titanic. Each engine drove a propeller efficiently (Fig. 1.2) [1]. The total output of the three engines was 46,000 hp. When the three engines worked together, the motive power increased and the fuel usage was reduced. There were four 400 kW steam-driven electric generators near the turbine engine. They provided electrical power to the Titanic until the last few minutes before the ship sank [1].

1.1.2 Technology

1.1.2.1 Watertight compartments and funnels

There were 16 water tight compartments in the Titanic, as in any other Olympic-class ship, 15 bulkheads, and 11 vertically closing watertight doors to seal off the 16 compartments in any emergency. The exposed decking of the Titanic was made of pine and teak. Four funnels were standing above the decks. Of them, only three were functional, while the fourth one was a dummy, installed for aesthetic purposes and kitchen ventilation) [1].

Figure 1.2 Rudder with central and port wing propellers of the Titanic. For scale, note the man at the bottom of the photograph [1].

1.1.2.2 Rudder and steering engines

The Titanic’s rudder was so large was 23.98 m high and 4.65 m long and weighed more than 100 tons. It was so heavy that only steering engines could move it. Two steam-powered steering engines were used alternatively to move the rudder. The ship also had five anchors: one port, one starboard, one in the centerline, and two kedging anchors [1].

1.1.2.3 Water, ventilation, and heating

The Titanic was provided with a well-planned and properly regulated network of pipes and valves. Heating and pumping water to all parts of the vessel was done through this system. If necessary, seawater was also used, but it would result in formation of scales, which required additional heat energy. Electric heaters were used to supply hot air [1].

1.1.2.4 Radio communication

The Marconi International Marine Communication Company looked after the Titanic’s wireless telegraphy. The company provided two operators, namely Jack Phillips and Harold Bride, to take care of the 24 h service. Their main work was sending and receiving the passengers’ messages. They also took care of weather reports and ice warnings.

The soundproof radio room, the “Silent Room,” was located in the officers’ quarters. It was provided with a motor generator and a transmitter. The Titanic had a state-of-the-art 5 kW ro...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• Introduction
• 1. The RMS Titanic
• 2. Galvanic Corrosion of the Titanic
• 3. Galvanic Corrosion
• 4. Industrial Methods of Preventing Galvanic Corrosion: Part I
• 5. Industrial Methods of Preventing Galvanic Corrosion: Part II
• 6. Metallurgical Analysis of RMS Titanic
• 7. The Titanic is Resting and Rusting
• 8. Corrosion Inhibitors for Metals in an Acidic Medium
• 9. Inhibitors for Rebars in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution: An Overview
• 10. Corrosion Inhibitors for Metals and Alloys in a Neutral Medium
• 11. Corrosion Inhibitors for Metals and Alloys in an Alkaline Medium
• 12. Corrosion Inhibition of Metals and Alloys in the Presence of Extracts of Plant Materials: An Overview
• Index