Many factors influence the durability of steel. First, because steel has poor corrosion resistance, protective measures must be taken to prevent it from corroding or rusting. Such measures include regular painting, the use of galvanized steel, or-in environments with highly corrosive agents like acids, alkalis, or salts-specialized protective techniques. For instance, offshore platform structures often employ "anodic protection" to prevent the corrosion of their steel jacket foundations; by attaching zinc ingots to the jacket, the seawater electrolyte preferentially corrodes the zinc, thereby safeguarding the steel structure. Furthermore, since the strength of steel can decrease significantly under long-term exposure to high temperatures and sustained loads-compared to its short-term strength-it is necessary to determine the "long-term (endurance) strength" of steel intended for such conditions.
Over time, steel can naturally become harder and more brittle-a phenomenon known as "aging." Additionally, for steel subjected to loads at low temperatures, it is essential to test its impact toughness.
