A Review of Modern Corrosion Prevention Strategies for Metallic Materials in Harsh Environments

Corrosion of metallic materials in harsh environments remains a significant challenge in industrial, marine, and infrastructure applications, leading to substantial economic losses and safety risks. This review critically examines modern strategies for corrosion prevention, focusing on protective coatings, corrosion inhibitors, cathodic and anodic protection, material selection, and surface engineering. Mechanisms of corrosion, including electrochemical, localized, microbial influenced, and high-temperature induced degradation, are analyzed alongside influencing factors such as pH, salinity, temperature, oxygen concentration, and mechanical stress. The review also highlights methods for characterizing and evaluating corrosion behavior, including electrochemical tests, weight loss measurements, and advanced surface analysis techniques. Comparative performance of different strategies demonstrates that combining multiple approaches often yields the highest efficiency, while eco-friendly and bio-derived inhibitors are increasingly emphasized for sustainable and regulatory-compliant solutions. Challenges related to long-term durability, scalability, and integration of AI-based predictive maintenance are discussed, along with emerging trends in smart and self-healing coatings. This comprehensive assessment provides a framework for optimizing corrosion prevention in aggressive environments and guiding future research directions