In order to minimise the adverse effects of SO₂ and SO₃ on the environment, many power plants and industrial facilities use flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) scrubbers to remove SO₂ and SO₃ from combustion gases. The conditions within a scrubber and accompanying installations are very severe and cause corrosion problems for common engineering materials. Failures impend over the environment for lengthy periods. This paper describes recent experience with corrosion and new construction materials of full-scale wet FGD systems. Materials description includes advantages and disadvantages, application areas, testing methods and relative costs of various materials.