17 common MIC (corrosion) terms you should know

To better understand the complex matter of Microbial Influenced Corrosion (MIC), it is pivotal to know the most common terms related to MIC. This article will walk you through the 17 commonly used MIC terms. 1. What is MIC? Firstly, and probably the most used term: MIC. What does MIC stand for? MIC stands for […]
Summer course MIC, hosted by the Euro-MIC consortium

This event will take place at: 08/22/2023 The course will take place in Prague, Czech Republic on 22-25 Aug 2023. This training course is targeted for graduate students, post-docs, young researchers and industrial professionals for postgraduate specialized training and to network with other colleagues. Teachers: Elsemiek Croese (NL) | Anette Rasmussen (DK) | Rick Eckert […]
Why Iron oxidizers have a different role in MIC, than what you are thinking

Engineers and corrosionists often attribute a big role to Iron oxidizers in MIC corrosion processes. It’s probably the name that creates these high expectations of Iron oxidizers in Microbially influenced corrosion. Another thing is dat Fe-oxidizing microbes are less studied than other physiological groups such as sulfate-reducing bacteria, which explains the lack of understanding of […]
Estimated costs of MIC-Microbially influenced Corrosion

In general, corrosion is estimated to account for about 3% of global GDP due to the destruction and replacement costs of steel infrastructure. While it’s challenging to estimate precise costs specific to microbially influenced corrosion (MIC), it’s reasonable to say that globally, MIC costs billions of dollars annually. Several reviews and monographs describe the fundamental […]
Pitting of Stainless steel drinking water lines due to microbial influenced corrosion

Microbial influenced corrosion (MIC) is a significant issue that affects the durability of stainless steel drinking water lines. This type of corrosion occurs when microbial biofilms form on the surface of the metal, leading to an electrochemical reaction that breaks down the protective layers and can result in pitting. Stainless steel is particularly susceptible to […]
Is SRB the same as MIC?

You might wonder if SRB is the same as MIC. The short answer is: No, these terms do not refer to the same concept. Especially in oil and gas operations, the terms Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) andMicrobially Influenced Corrosion (MIC) are used interchangeable. This gives you the idea that both terms refer to the same thing. […]
The Truth About Corrosion in Sprinkler Fire Systems

Although you may not be aware, corrosion in sprinkler systems is quite prevalent. At first, it goes unnoticed but eventually leads to leaks, blockages and damage to the building–and possibly equipment or fixtures inside the building. Moreover, your sprinkler system’s operation is also hindered. If you have encountered such problems with leaks in your sprinkler […]
What is Sulphur?

Sulphur is one of the most common elements on Earth. It can be found near volcanoes in its pure form as a yellow solid, but it also occurs in large quantities in minerals such as pyrite (iron disulphide; FeS2) and gypsum (calcium sulphate; CaSO4). Finally, dissolved sulphate (SO42-) is present in seawater. Sulfur reacts readily […]
Sulphur Oxidizing Bacteria: The Cause of Fast Corrosion Processes

How to prevent problems from SOB’s Sulpher oxidizing bacteria are a type of microorganism that can cause severe corrosion damage to various types of materials. In this post, we will explain what these bacteria are, and how they trigger fast corrosion processes. If you are concerned about the possibility of your business being impacted by […]
Euro-MIC COST conference

During the last week of August, the Euro-MIC COST conference took place. A one day seminar that updated more than 100 interested people about scientific and industrial progress on the topic of Microbial influenced corrosion. The meeting was hosted at the BAM, the German federal material research institute. Visitors were treated with a guided tour […]