BREAKTHROUGHS IN CORROSION CONTROL AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING IN THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY - LESSONS FROM HISTORY

摘要

Progress in controlling corrosion is discontinuous. Eight breakthroughs in corrosion control or materials engineering in the pulp and paper industry during the last 80 years have been examined to discover keys to success in research and implementation. Successful cooperative research programs have focused goals, well-planned research and organization structures that involve both funding managers and the engineers who will implement the results. Entrepreneurial breakthroughs by supplier companies confirm that catastrophes are not a prerequisite for success. However, for novel technologies to be implemented, their operation and benefits must be well understood by the engineers who will implement them. Recognizing hidden problems and applying developments from other industries can have breakthrough benefits but requires a type of thinking not normally sought in mill engineers. Because of reduced research funding by pulp and paper companies, future breakthroughs in corrosion control and materials engineering will depend on research and development largely funded by governments, equipment suppliers or other industries. Technology roadmaps may be the best tool for prioritizing precompetitive research that has broad industry support.