Time change of steel and coating film applied to the old living hut built in 1969 at Syowa Station, Antarctica

Abstract

The results of an investigation of steel and paint coated galvanized steel sheet used in the old living hut built in 1969 at Syowa Station, Antarctica are described. The steel corrosion products consist of α-FeOOH and γ-FeOOH, which are produced in air, and the mineral component CaAl2SiO8. However, β- FeOOH, which can be produced in air and includes a great amount of chloride ion, is not detected. In addition it is speculated that the paint coated galvanized steel sheets applied to roofs, walls and floors of the building are coated by two or three-layers of oxidation-cured melamine. It is judged that metallic corrosion and coating deterioration reactions are inhibited in Antarctica where air temperature and relative humidity are low all year, even though the buildings are located on the seashore.