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New stainless steel alloy specified for airport in extremely corrosive marine
environment
by Patrick Whiteway
Nickel Magazine, June 2007 -- When it is completed in 2009, the new
international airport in Doha, Qatar will be the first airport designed specifically to accommodate the
Airbus A380 super jumbo.
Forty percent of the airport will be built on land reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf, according to
architects Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc. (HOK). It will provide an impressive new gateway to Doha and is
one of several stainless steel projects planned in the city.
“The Middle East coastal region is among the most corrosive land-based environments in the world,” says
Nickel Institute architectural consultant Catherine Houska. “High levels of salt accumulate on surfaces and
high humidity can activate the salt. Under these conditions, high temperatures accelerate corrosion rates. S31600
stainless steel has not provided sufficient corrosion protection in some projects on this coast.”
The 26-gate terminal complex features extensive shopping facilities, a mosque, and an 800-car parking
structure. For improved corrosion resistance, the terminal’s roof and wall panels will be made of S32003
duplex stainless steel, containing 3-4% nickel. This stainless steel’s corrosion resistance is between that
of S31600
and S32205.
Patrick Whiteway is the editor of Nickel magazine.
Photos: Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc. (HOK)
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