Professional Diploma in Corrosion Protection
This professional diploma gives you the specialist knowledge to fight corrosion effectively on ships, offshore structures and industrial assets. You will learn to select and implement advanced protection strategies, from materials selection and corrosion inhibitors to surface preparation, protective coatings and cathodic protection, so that you can extend the service life of assets, reduce maintenance costs and improve safety and profitability.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in Corrosion Protection?
This professional diploma covers corrosion control as a complete engineering discipline. You will begin with the electrochemistry of corrosion, Pourbaix diagrams, polarization and Tafel curves, the main forms of corrosion including pitting, crevice, stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement, and the measurement of corrosion rates. You will then study design and materials selection (carbon and stainless steels, duplex, non-ferrous alloys, polymers and FRP, galvanic isolation and life-cycle costing), environmental control with inhibitors, deaeration, water chemistry and biocides against MIC, surface preparation to ISO 8501-1 and SSPC/NACE standards, coating systems to ISO 12944 including zinc-rich, polysiloxane, thermal spray and FBE, sacrificial anode and impressed current cathodic protection, and finally inspection, monitoring and risk-based integrity management.
What sets this diploma apart: a scientific foundation in electrochemistry that lets you understand why each protection method works; all lines of defense in one program, from design and materials to inhibitors, coatings and cathodic protection; real calculation work on protection current and anode mass; strong reference to international standards such as ISO 12944, ISO 8501-1, ISO 21457 and NACE/AMPP; and a final project in which you develop a complete corrosion prevention and control plan for a ship or plant.
Program highlights
- Corrosion science: electrochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics and forms of attack.
- Prevention by design: materials selection, galvanic isolation and life-cycle costing.
- Inhibitors and water chemistry: VCI, deaeration, pH control and biocides against MIC.
- Surface preparation and coatings: blasting standards, ISO 12944 systems and failure analysis.
- Cathodic protection: sacrificial anode design and impressed current systems with stray-current control.
- Integrity management: DFT, holiday detection, coupons, CIPS/DCVG, RBI and QA/QC reports.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Corrosion Protection
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Electrochemistry and phenomenology of corrosion
- 1.1. Electrochemical principles of corrosion: anode, cathode, electrolyte and metallic path
- 1.2. Thermodynamics of corrosion and Pourbaix (E-pH) diagrams
- 1.3. Corrosion kinetics, polarization and Tafel curves
- 1.4. Uniform, galvanic, pitting and crevice corrosion
- 1.5. Environmentally assisted cracking: stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and hydrogen embrittlement
- 1.6. Assessing aggressive environments: marine atmospheres, soils, fresh water and industrial fluids
- 1.7. Measuring corrosion rates: weight loss and linear polarization resistance (LPR)
- 1.8. Types of localized corrosion
Engineering design and selection of resistant materials
- 2.1. Geometric design criteria to avoid moisture traps and corrosion
- 2.2. Selecting carbon steels, stainless steels (austenitic, duplex) and special alloys
- 2.3. Corrosion behavior of non-ferrous metals: aluminum, copper, titanium and nickel
- 2.4. Material incompatibility and galvanic isolation with dielectric gaskets and sleeves
- 2.5. Selecting non-metallic materials: polymers, FRP and ceramics in aggressive environments
- 2.6. Life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis of anti-corrosion alternatives
- 2.7. International standards for materials selection (NACE/AMPP MR0175, ISO 21457)
- 2.8. Designing out corrosion
Environmental modification and corrosion inhibitors
- 3.1. How corrosion inhibitors work: anodic, cathodic and mixed
- 3.2. Vapor phase corrosion inhibitors (VCI) for storage and temporary protection
- 3.3. Corrosion control by deaeration and removal of dissolved oxygen from water
- 3.4. Adjusting pH, alkalinity and water chemistry in boilers and closed circuits
- 3.5. Biocide treatment to control microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)
- 3.6. Dosing techniques, residual monitoring and evaluation of inhibitor efficiency
- 3.7. Environmental impact, ecotoxicity and biodegradability of chemical inhibitors
- 3.8. Inhibitors in cooling circuits
Surface preparation and industrial cleaning
- 4.1. Chemical cleaning methods: acid pickling, passivation and alkaline degreasing
- 4.2. Mechanical and hand tool surface preparation to ISO 8501-1 (St2/St3)
- 4.3. Dry abrasive blasting and finish specifications (NACE 1/2/3/4, SSPC-SP 5/6/10/14)
- 4.4. Characterizing abrasives (steel grit, corundum, slag) and their recyclability
- 4.5. High and ultra-high pressure water jetting (hydroblasting)
- 4.6. Measuring critical parameters: roughness profile, residual dust and salt contamination
- 4.7. Safety, dust emission control and waste management in surface preparation
- 4.8. Abrasive blasting and mechanical cleaning in practice
Protective coatings and anti-corrosive paints
- 5.1. How coatings protect: barrier effect, passivation and galvanic protection
- 5.2. Coating chemistry: epoxy, polyurethane, polysiloxane and zinc-rich resins
- 5.3. Coating systems for high temperatures and corrosion under insulation (CUI)
- 5.4. Metallic coatings: hot-dip galvanizing, thermal spray metallising and electroplating
- 5.5. Thermoplastic and thermosetting powder coatings (FBE, polypropylene)
- 5.6. Application methods: airless spray, conventional spray gun, brush and roller
- 5.7. Analysis of common coating failures: blistering, cracking, delamination and pinholes
- 5.8. Paint systems according to ISO 12944
Sacrificial anode cathodic protection (SACP)
- 6.1. Principles of cathodic protection and polarization criteria (-850 mV CSE / 100 mV shift)
- 6.2. Electrochemical properties and selection of anode materials (zinc, aluminum, magnesium)
- 6.3. Calculating protection current requirements and total anode mass
- 6.4. Layout, distribution and installation of sacrificial anodes on structures and tanks
- 6.5. Special backfill for anodes in buried installations
- 6.6. Inspection, pipe-to-soil potential measurement and assessment of remaining life
- 6.7. Maintenance and renewal of depleted galvanic anode systems
- 6.8. Anode calculations
Impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP)
- 7.1. ICCP system components: DC power sources (rectifiers) and anode beds
- 7.2. Inert anodes for ICCP: platinised titanium, MMO, graphite and high-silicon cast iron
- 7.3. Anode bed designs: shallow, deep and distributed
- 7.4. Monitoring and mitigating stray currents and electrical interference
- 7.5. Permanent and remote reference electrodes for automatic control
- 7.6. Rectifier maintenance, ON/OFF interruption tests and corrosion coupons
- 7.7. Safety criteria for operating ICCP systems in hazardous (ATEX) areas
- 7.8. Maintenance of ICCP systems
Inspection, monitoring and integrity of anti-corrosion assets
- 8.1. Inspection instruments: dry film thickness (DFT) gauges, adhesion testing and holiday detectors
- 8.2. Non-destructive testing (NDT) to assess wall loss due to corrosion
- 8.3. Installing and reading weight-loss coupons and electrical resistance (ER) probes
- 8.4. Cathodic protection surveys on buried pipelines: CIPS (close interval potential survey) and DCVG
- 8.5. Risk-based inspection (RBI) and asset integrity management focused on corrosion
- 8.6. Writing technical paint specifications, inspection plans and QA/QC reports
- 8.7. Integrity inspection and management
- 8.8. Final project: a comprehensive corrosion prevention and control plan for a plant or ship
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Corrosion Protection
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Corrosion Protection
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Corrosion Protection
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Corrosion Protection
To prevent or slow the deterioration of materials caused by corrosion, so that ships, structures and equipment remain safe and last longer at a lower maintenance cost.
No. It applies to ships and offshore structures, but also to pipelines, tanks, plants and other infrastructure exposed to aggressive environments.
Yes. You will calculate protection current requirements and anode mass for sacrificial systems and study the design, monitoring and maintenance of impressed current systems.
Among others ISO 12944 for paint systems, ISO 8501-1 and SSPC/NACE surface preparation grades, ISO 21457 and NACE/AMPP MR0175 for materials selection and the main cathodic protection criteria.
The diploma teaches the technical content behind those roles. Personal inspector certifications are issued separately by the relevant certification bodies.
It is fully online, with live and recorded classes, materials available at any time and personalized tutoring.
Through case studies, calculations, coating failure analyses, inspection exercises and a final project in which you develop a corrosion prevention and control plan for a plant or ship.
A Navalis Institute professional diploma and the specifications, calculations and control plan you prepare during the program.
More programs in Shipyard and finishes
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at civil, mechanical and naval engineers, architects and designers, quality control inspectors and site supervisors, professionals in the oil and gas, mining and maritime sectors, maintenance and asset managers and engineering students; a higher technical qualification or engineering degree in chemistry, materials, mechanics or a related field, or demonstrable experience in industrial painting, surface treatment or inspection, is recommended, together with basic knowledge of chemistry, physics and materials science.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera and microphone for live sessions.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.