CORROSION

1. During a year almost 200 million tons of metal objects are considered to be destroyed by corrosion. Considering that about 600 million tons of metal a year are produced in the world, it is easy to understand the losses of objects without which our life could not be imagined.

2. The situation is very serious, because not only metal is destroyed but also a great amount of articles, instruments, and tools whose cost exceeds many times the cost of the metal used for their manufacture.

3. Combatting against the corrosion of metals has now become a key problem in all industrialized countries.

The scientific and technical achievements in the field of raising the corrosion resistance of construction materials are the basis of technical progress in different branches of industry, an indicator of the country's economic potential.

4. A large amount of «anti-corrosion» work is being carried out in Russia. The results are evident: Russia-made inhibitors, varnishes, paint covers are being well known throughout the world. Gas pipelines, metal structures, the bodies of atomic reactors and ships, etc. have been reliably protected against corrosion.

5. Russia also exports special equipment and some kinds of technology designed to weaken corrosion. Anti-corrosion varnishes, paints, insulating materials and equipment are purchased abroad.

5. Прочтите 5-й абзац текста и ответьте письменно на следующий вопрос:

What materials weakening corrosion does Russia sell?