Abstract
Mexico is undergoing an intense process of economic and industrial development with emphasis on the modernization of its infrastructure. The Gulf of Mexico is a vast region displaying numerous elements of infrastructure: ports, airports, dams and hydroelectric plants, thermal and nuclear power plants, marine oil terminals, roads, railways, bridges, pipelines: oil, gas and water, sewage systems. The "Corrosion Program of the Gulf of Mexico" is devoted to the analysis, diagnosis and solution of corrosion and deterioration problems of the engineering materials and structures encountered in the Gulf. The results of a recent corrosion investigation of the longest reinforced concrete, seawater bridge assisted in the maintenance and implementation of a plan for the bridge's rehabilitation. The "Program" is linked to a wide network of centers for cooperation in corrosion investigations related to the infrastructure and its protection in Mexico, the USA, Latin America, Europe and Israel. The knowledge and experience gathered will be useful for corrosion control of the infrastructure of the whole country. This paper presents the varied activities of the "Program" in research, development, teaching, training and divulgation, to preserve the infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico.
