Investigation of Corrosion-Resistant Materials for Security Fencing and Personnel Handrails

Traditional galvanized steel wire fencing can become severely corroded in just 5-7 years in coastal and tropical regions where the atmosphere is humid and laden with salt.  Even conventional PVC-coated galvanized steel fencing can corrode in severe environments.  Military equipment, supplies, and buildings requiring controlled access need security fencing that is not compromised by corrosion.  Besides fencing, traditional galvanized steel and painted steel guard and hand railings can also become severely corroded in a short time in coastal environments.  Deteriorated railings pose a safety hazard for personnel utilizing the areas.  This paper will describe a study undertaken to access a variety of corrosion-resistant materials for both fencing and railings and compare them to the traditional materials in various coastal exposures.  Some of the materials being investigated include fuse-bonded PVC powder coated galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminized steel, Galfan, aluminum alloys, and fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites.  The test exposure sites include Kahuku, HI, Pohakuloa, HI, Duck, NC, and Treat Island, ME. The results to date will be presented.