One of the two methods described in this report to estimate the total cost of corrosion is based on a method where the total cost of corrosion control methods and services are estimated. This method was used by Uhlig in one of the first studies that examined the cost of corrosion in the United States, and was later adapted to estimate the cost of corrosion to the Japanese economy. These studies are described inmore detail in the section titled “Review of Previous Cost of Corrosion Studies”.

The corrosion control methods that were considered include protective coatings, corrosion resistant metals and alloys, corrosion inhibitors, polymers, anodic and cathodic protection, corrosion control services, corrosion research and development, and education and training. The total annual cost of corrosion estimated with this method for the average year of 1998 was $121.41 billion or 1.381 percent of the $8,790.1 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

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