Thank you to everyone who entered the Rusty Pics 2026 Competition.
⬇️ The photo gallery is displayed below on this page. Please browse all entries before completing the voting form. ⬇️
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Join us online as we announce the Rusty Pics 2026 winners.
Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Time: 5:30–6:30 pm AEST
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Browse the Pipeline category entries below.
Photographer: Rachel Petersen | SMEC
Description: Advanced external corrosion has transformed a steel pipe into a landscape of mineral like tubercles. Captured during a reservoir condition assessment, the image documents the unexpected beauty and complexity that can emerge from long-term corrosion processes.
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Photographer: Ylli Leka | SMEC
Description: The potable water reservoir, located in Brisbane, Queensland, was inspected as part of this condition assessment. The internal overflow pipe exhibited widespread surface corrosion with numerous corrosion nodules across the exposed surface.
Take A Closer LookBrowse the Marine category entries below.
Photographer: Nate Berends | MCM
Description: A marine fender in the Pacific reveals nature’s corrosion fingerprint, with the most severe steel loss concentrated in the splash zone, where seawater, oxygen and salt combine to accelerate deterioration. The contrasting corrosion across the tidal, splash and atmospheric zones highlights how environmental exposure governs the long-term durability of coastal infrastructure.
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Photographer: Richard Brodribb | M. Brodribb Pty Ltd
Description: Boat out of water for a long time
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Photographer: Zachariah Arneil | BG&E Pty Limited
Description: Underside of a jetty over seawater. Lamination of structural steel.
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Photographer: Scott Wade | Swinburne University
Description: On a family trip to K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) last year I was lucky enough to visit the wreck of the SS Maheno, which I’d only ever seen in stock photos previously. Not sure how much longer she’ll be around for.
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Photographer: Greg Bladowski | Chemcote Specialty Coatings
Description: Hand Rail Kick Panel
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Photographer: Brian Kaye | Duoguard Australia
Description: A typical example of elements in a coastal environment and exposed to both water and airborne chloride attack.
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Photographer: Hussein Ramadan
Description: Hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) is highly effective for marine environments, providing durable, long-term, and maintenance-free protection for steel against saltwater spray. It offers barrier and cathodic protection through a zinc patina that forms over time. While HDG is reliable in coastal environments, high-salinity spray and immersion, particularly in warm waters, can increase corrosion rates, necessitating maintenance in as little as 5–7 years in highly exposed areas
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Photographer: Muhammad Awais Javed | Swinburne University of Technology
Description: A steel member after one year of immersion in the seawaters of Williamstown, Victoria. Rust, barnacles, and marine growth cover the surface, revealing the combined effects of corrosion and biofouling. The image highlights how quickly seawater transforms unprotected steel in a harsh marine environment.
Take A Closer LookBrowse the Concrete category entries below.
Photographer: Nate Berends | MCM
Description: Hidden beneath a Melbourne wharf, a persistent leak has leached the concrete, exposing its steel skeleton. Corrosion, mineral deposits and flowing water capture the relentless forces of time, salt and corrosion at work.
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Photographer: Zachariah Arneil | BG&E Pty Limited
Description: Corroding and unwinding of pre-tension strandings in a concrete girder.
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Photographer: Ian Ellis | Metz
Description: In this feed area of a battery recycling facility spent acid was regularly spilling onto the floor. If the coating cannot resist the acid concentration pits develop, the pits hold acid and attack rate accelerates. A pitted floor, heavy forklift loads and it isn’t long before the underlying concrete is exposed, and that’s when you can literally watch the corrosion taking place it advances so quickly.
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Photographer: Muhammad Awais Javed | Swinburne University of Technology
Description: Corroded reinforcing steel exposed within a historic Atlantic Wall concrete fragment, showing the lasting impact of marine exposure and long-term material degradation.
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Photographer: Arthur Austin | SRG Global Asset Care Pty Ltd
Description: A steel roof, supporting galvanised steel post, fastened to a potable water concrete tank floor with stainless steel fasteners, connected to concrete reinforcing. The water provided the electrolyte, the reinforcing the cathode, the post the anode, corrosion in 12 months.
Take A Closer LookBrowse the Paint category entries below.
Photographer: Zachariah Arneil | BG&E Pty Limited
Description: Deteriorated paint and corrosion.
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Photographer: Scott Wade | Swinburne University
Description: Photo of breakdown of a coating on the top surface of an electrical box very close to the sea. Looks like it’s got a case of rust rash.
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Photographer: Muhammad Awais Javed | Swinburne University of Technology
Description: A coastal utility pole on Galveston Island shows extensive coating failure, with peeling paint exposing steel to corrosion. Years of salt air, humidity, and storms have degraded the protective barrier, illustrating how harsh marine environments challenge the long-term performance of painted infrastructure.
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Photographer: Rob Francis
Description: Rust growing in rings beneath a paint film
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Photographer: Greg Bladowski | Chemcote Specialty Coatings
Description: Support Beam X bracing corrosion
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Photographer: Vani Houghton
Description: Atmospheric corrosion can’t be seen with naked eyes. Constant preventive maintenance can avoid delays in availability of aircraft (We were made to wait 3 hours due to aircraft breakdown)
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Photographer: Ian Clark
Description: Not all corrosion is bad. Sometimes it can provide stunning photos such as this.
Photographer: Sarah Furman | AECOM
Description: Coating breakdown occurs even on national monuments. The Eiffel Tower looks like it is due for a recoat
Take A Closer LookBrowse the Other category entries below.
Photographer: Scott Wade | Swinburne University
Description: Mixed metals (possibly mild steel bolt and washer on galvanised steel) leading to galvanic corrosion in a hot, humid environment close to the sea.
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Photographer: Brian Kaye | Duoguard Australia
Description: Hidden corrosion at level crossing, note the web and foot of the rail recently removed .
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Photographer: Vani Houghton
Description: Went for breakfast outside Lysterfield and was pleasantly surprised to see this antique crusty beaut. Thought about this competition.
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Photographer: Muhammad Awais Javed | Swinburne University of Technology
Description: A close-up of corroded cable anchorage and turnbuckle assemblies on a New Orleans bridge. Rust textures formed by the humid Mississippi River environment contrast with the engineered strength of the steel components, illustrating the enduring effects of time, weather, and corrosion on critical infrastructure.
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Photographer: Peter Golding | Galvanizers Association of Australia
Description: This boiler provided steam to the Dip River Saw Mill near Mawbanna, Tasmania. Dating from the 1920’s, the saw mill was fed from local trees cut by hand using axe and cross cut saws.
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Photographer: Zachariah Arneil | BG&E Pty Limited
Description: Mothballed concrete plant corroding but nature finds a way to continue to thrive.
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Photographer: Rachel Petersen | SMEC
Description: Captured during a condition assessment, this image documents advanced corrosion of a steel access ladder within a water treatment facility. The interplay of light, reflection and corrosion products reveals the hidden deterioration of infrastructure operating beyond public view.
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Photographer: Sarah Furman | AECOM
Description: The micro-climate exposure conditions vary around the post causing different rates of corrosion around the circumference
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