Properties

• The chloride in sea water causes an electrochemical reaction with metals, interacting with oxygen and other environmental factors to eat away metal components, according to the Marine Corrosion Forum.
  
  

Cars

• The salt in sea water can do irreparable damage to cars or trucks. Corrosion can eat into body panels and cause electrical systems to fail, according to Autos.com.
  
  

Boats

• Boats face ongoing danger from sea water corrosion, which damages their steel or aluminum components. Scratches, holes or dents in the boat surfaces increase the risk of corrosion, according to Duroboat.com.
  
  

Airplanes

• Airplanes face corrosion damage from sea water when flying over the ocean. Sea spray or mist can damage aluminum structures and lead to stress fractures, according to A&M Environmental Technotes.
  
  

Protective Measures

• Protective paints, sealants and other coatings can help prevent corrosion from sea water. Boat owners, for instance, use materials such as zinc to coat boat hulls, creating an electrochemical barrier known as cathodic protection.