During the materials selection process for an industrial application, an evaluation of different materials and how they react in a specific operating environment is required. Exposure of materials to simulated corrosion circumstances provides the following analytical data:
- Estimated Service Life/Durability
- Comparison of Candidate Materials
- Performance Expectations in Operating Environments
- Material Suitability to Final Applications
IMR operates several pieces of equipment capable of replicating natural environmental and atmospheric conditions involved in cyclic testing; modeling structure, morphology, and relative corrosion resistance.
IMR Test Labs corrosion testing methods provide quality control by ensuring that your component surface protection application processes, such as coatings, anodizing and electroplating are being performed to specification.
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Types of Corrosion Testing Services
Accelerated environmental weathering methods like ASTM B117 salt spray, passivation testing, and cyclic corrosion are performed at defined intervals, utilizing temperature and humidity controls.
Electrochemical Corrosion Testing is performed to ASTM G199 through a controlled electrochemical reaction between two materials, or between an exposed surface and its operating environment.
Corrosion Testing Services- ASTM Standards
ASTM B117
ASTM G199
According to NACE, the global cost of corrosion is estimated to be US$2.5 trillion, which is equivalent to 3.4% of the global GDP. Through near misses, incidents, forced shutdowns (outages), etc., several industries have come to realize that lack of corrosion management can be very costly, but can be mitigated through proper corrosion management.
Download this informative guide on corrosion testing, designed to help you learn about the types of corrosion testing, materials screening, and types of corrosion testing by industry... and more.
Types of Corrosion
Uniform or General Corrosion
The most common type, general corrosion occurs when widespread exposure to weather, chemicals, or other elements causes corrosion across the entirety of an exposed metal surface.
High-Temperature Corrosion
Corrosion is sometimes caused in specific types of metals when there is exposure to corrosive substances at high temperatures.
Local Corrosion
Local corrosion occurs when only a specific area is affected, such as a crevice or hole, however it threatens the integrity of the entire metal surface.
Alloy Corrosion
Corrosive elements target one component of an alloy.
Galvanic Corrosion
Two distinct types of metal come into contact with one another and an electrochemical reaction causes one of the metals to corrode faster.
Environmentally Assisted Cracking (EAC)
Stress-environment interactions cause corrosion, such as stress corrosion cracking, caustic cracking, environmental stress cracking, and other subtypes. Stress, chemical exposure, pressure, vibrations, welding, machining and other factors can cause EAC.
Flow-Assisted Corrosion or Erosion-Corrosion
Corrosion caused by the flow of water or air, exposing fresh metal, which can rapidly degrade components.
Fretting Corrosion
Occurs when surfaces wear down from constant friction caused by vibrations or rubbing.
Corrosion Testing Services - FAQs
Corrosion testing is designed to simulate anywhere from a few months to several years of natural exposure. A ratio of number of hours to natural exposure time is followed and can vary depending on the material being tested and the natural exposure that is being simulated.
Corrosion testing simulates weather elements such as rain and fog, ocean spray, UV light exposure, temperature, wind-borne particles, and pollution.
Corrosion testing provides key insight into material’s susceptibility to it’s environmental exposures therefore allowing the end user to evaluate whether it is correct for the application, if it will perform as expected, or if an alternate material is more suitable.