Rust as a Mirror of System Failure

A Socio-Technical Perspective in the Development of Anti-Corrosion Coating Materials

Abstract

Corrosion is one of the largest causes of economic losses in the manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure industries worldwide, with global losses estimated to reach trillions of dollars each year. To address this problem, the development of coating technology continues to be carried out, ranging from epoxy-based conventional coatings to self-repairing smart coating systems. However, most research and application of anti-corrosion coatings is still oriented solely on technical aspects, namely how long the material lasts and how efficient the application process is, without much consideration of the social, economic, and governance context surrounding the application of the technology. This article is structured through a conceptual approach by examining a number of literature related to the development of anti-corrosion coating technology, then linking it to a broader problem, namely the gap between claims of material resistance in the laboratory and its actual performance in the field. The results of the study show that coating failures are often not just a matter of inappropriate chemical formulations, but also of non-technical factors such as loose field application supervision standards, lack of applicator training, and cost-efficiency pressures that drive the use of materials below their proper specifications. This article argues that understanding corrosion as just a material issue is a mistaken view; corrosion is actually a symptom of a broader industrial system, including how decisions are made, who supervises, and what incentives drive certain material choices. This shift in perspective is important so that corrosion prevention strategies going forward are no longer confined to mere technical solutions, but also touch the root of the problem at the policy and practice level of industry.