rustniveau

Rustniveau is a concept used in corrosion assessment to describe the degree of rust on iron and steel surfaces. It combines qualitative and, where available, semi-quantitative information about rust coverage, severity, and the potential impact on material integrity into a single indicator. The term is encountered in Dutch- and German-speaking contexts and is not universally standardized across industries.

Typically, rustniveau is represented on a simple scale, often ranging from 0 to 5 (or 0 to 10 in some versions). A lower value indicates minimal or no rust, while higher values reflect greater rust coverage, deeper corrosion, or more extensive surface damage such as flaking or pitting. The exact criteria for each grade vary by organization and sector, with references usually provided by inspection manuals or asset-management guidelines.

Measurement and evaluation of rustniveau rely on visual inspection against reference images, sometimes complemented by non-destructive testing methods. Visual scales may consider rust area, color, texture, surface roughness, and the presence of coating damage. For more detailed assessment, techniques such as ultrasonic thickness gauging or surface profilometry can be used to estimate rust thickness or loss of cross-section.

Applications include maintenance planning, risk assessment, and lifecycle management of infrastructure, ships, pipelines, and industrial equipment. By providing a quick snapshot of corrosion status, rustniveau informs prioritization of repairs, coating reapplications, or component replacement. The lack of a single global standard means rustniveau scales and definitions vary by region and industry, though the underlying purpose remains consistent: to support informed decision-making in corrosion control.