The presence of certain impurities in coal and oil is responsible for the majority of fireside corrosion experienced in utility boilers. In coal, the primary impurities are sulfur, alkali metals, and chlorine. The most detrimental impurities in fuel oil are vanadium, sodium, sulfur, and chlorine. This article describes the two categories of fireside corrosion based on location in the furnace: waterwall corrosion in the lower furnace and fuel ash corrosion of superheaters and reheaters in the upper furnace. It discusses prevention methods, including changes to operating parameters and application of protective cladding or coatings.

This article provides a discussion on the mechanisms of wear and their interactions with gaseous corrosion. The wear mechanisms include abrasive, erosive, fretting, and sliding. The measurement of degradation on combustion walls in coal-fired boilers is discussed. The article concludes with information on the common coating techniques used for wear-corrosion control.