Review article

The article presents the results of carried out analysis of literature and highlights the main provisions that should be taken into account when choosing the optimal method of corrosion tests of structural steel brands, as well as the composition and properties of the corrosive environment, the working conditions of metal structures (MS) and the test temperature. In assessing the degree of corrosion induced damage, not only the controlling factor should be taken into account, but also ways of accelerating the electrochemical reactions with aggressive components, or depolarizers, as well as by means of increasing the contact time of the test sample surface with the electrolyte used. For structural steels, the main methods of corrosion tests are considered, and the most acceptable method is chosen, which includes a complete immersion of samples in the electrolyte, and appropriate quantitative indicators of corrosion rate and corrosion resistance of structural steels in different structural conditions are adopted. There have been selected the types of pre-treatment of steel to obtain the structures which are characteristic for real welded MS.