Electrochemical AC/DC Corrosion Testing

Determining Corrosion Rates Through.....

Electrochemical corrosion testing methods are extremely useful for the determination of corrosion behavior of alloys and coatings in corrosive environments. Most forms of corrosion: uniform, localized (pitting and crevice),  galvanic, stress corrosion cracking, intergranular corrosion, hudrogen induced cracking, soil corrosivity, concrete corrosion behavior, ....etc can be investigated with electrochemical techniques available at MATCO's Corrosion Testing Laboratories. Our electrochemical measurments systems (Gamry and Princenton Computerized Corrosion Measurment Systems) provide accurate and dependable data that can be used in corrosion investigations, the selection of materials for corrosive environments, and prevention of corrosion failure. The electrochemical system at MATCO identifies whether a certain alloy, such as nickel alloy or stainless steel, will pit in corrosive environments (ASTM G61) and whether a particular alloy system is the best choice for your specific application. The electrochemical analysis also identifies whether certain alloy or coating will pit or corrode in corrosive environment. The technique analyzes the corrosion behavior quickly, and can accurately identify the corrosion rate and the pitting potential and assist you in making the best choice for material selection in your specific corrosive environment.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Coating Evaluation

The permeability of organic coatings generally increases with time, or to look at the inverse, the resistance to penetration decreases with time.  The degradation is associated with corrosive ions and water penetration into the coating, transport of ions through the coating, and subsequent corrosion reactions at the coating–metal interface. Typical standard coating immersion tests can take hundreds or thousands of hours. However electrochemical impedance testing, the EIS technique, can provide reliable data on performance in rather short times. Capacitance and electrical properties of the coating are measured as a function of time.

The advantage of this technique is that the tests are not “accelerated” to the point that the coating system fails. The tests provide reliable data in short exposure times. The data from these tests can also provide data for calculating permeation rate, minimum coating thickness required and cure schedule requirements for adequate corrosion resistance. The results obtained fro EIS testing are representative of the long term performance of an organic coating and are invaluable in coating selection for corrosive environments.

The above electrochemical analysis identifies whether certain alloy coating will pit or corrode in corrosive environment. The technique analyzes the corrosion behavior quickly, and can accurately identify the corrosion rate and the pitting potential and assist you in making the best choice for material selection in your specific corrosive environment.

MATCO uses the Gamry Instruments Electrochemical Measurement System and Princeton corrosion measurment system which provide a powerful analytical capability in the selection of coatings for materials protection in corrosive environments, and ultimately for the prevention of corrosion failure.

Electrochemical Team:

Dr. Zee                                       Dr. Huiping Xu

Dr. Gibbon                                  Dr. Bayer

Mr. Geoff Rhodes                        Mr. Sam Scheinman

We Value Our Customers... Throughout the years, we have noticed that much of our business comes from repeat customers. Our expertise and well-equipped lab can account for much of this, but we believe there is something more to it. We attribute it to the fact that we promote an open and friendly environment that is never too busy to meet your needs. At MATCO, we value your business whether you are a large corporation or a small enterprise. We will provide you with the attention you need and deserve. We invite you to visit us and get to know our staff, and share in the learning experience.

Why Choose MATCO Services? As one of the premier testing and failure analysis firms featuring state of the art equipment, MATCO Services is able to provide a unique and diverse blend of services. Thousands of investigations have been performed at MATCO Services, ranging from jet engines and boiler tubes, to computer components and implants. Projects are not only conducted on your schedule from initiation to completion with competent and experienced personnel, and conducted in a discrete manner that ensures confidentiality as well.

MATCO's Typical Projects

Although MATCO's work is vital to its clients, it is rarely seen by the public. Here are some examples of recent jobs in which MATCO provided the timely, competent, customer-oriented engineering analysis that made the difference.

Failure Analysis: Metallurgical support for a major commercial airline fleet (US Airways) that includes failure analysis investigations, corrosion investigations, and quality control testing. Bridge and construction failure investigations are routinly performed at MATCO.

Corrosion Engineering: Cathodic protection system design and installation for a submerged ocean tunnel for the off-loading facility of the largest liquified natural gas (LNG) process facility in the United States . Our certified team of corrosion investigators can perform testing to evaluate the integrity of pressure vessels. These include refineries, underground and above ground oil,  gas and chemical process facilities   Our team has performed such analyses nation and worldwide, and will travel to your project site at a moments notice for emergency evaluations.

Paint/Coating Analysis: On-site and laboratory investigation of paint delamination failures (flaking and peeling) on galvanized structural members of several major stadiums in the United States .

On-site Inspection: Our certified team of inspectors can perform non-destructive testing on project sites to evaluate the integrity of large structures.  Our team has performed such analyses nation and worldwide, and will travel to your project site at a moments notice for emergency evaluations.  Such large structure evaluations have included off-shore oil platforms, wind power generation towers, concrete domes and stadiums, large underground cooling systems, and large elevated water towers. Our projects have taken us from Aloha Stadium in Hawaii to Alyeska Ski Resort in Alaska; from bridges in the Bahamas to titanium structures in Tokyo, Japan and damage evaluation of hurrican in Florida. This project included roofing, siding, paint and internal water damage for a large structure.

Enviromental Testing: Comparative testing of the resistance of pharmaceutical labels to environmental stresses (MFG, Humidity, and QUV testing) for a major drug company to determine what labels held up the best.

Fire Investigation: Same-day analysis of the effects of a truck fire on the superstructure of a major highway bridge to determine whether or not the highway could remain open.

Explosion Investigations: Failure analysis of a gas main explosion that caused casualities.

Power Plants: Failure analysis and remaining life determination of boiler components in the power industry.

Implant  Materials: Electrochemical corrosion evaluation and failure analysis of implant materials such as hips, knees, stents, etc. to improve products and performance.

Galvanized Steel: How its microstructure and galvanized layer chemistry affect its appearance and corrosion resistance. Prevention and evaluation of storage rust, cracking of galvanized layer, failure of painted galvanized steel. Cabinet salt spray testing, EIS testing of painted galvanized steel and metallurgical characterization tests are routinly performed for galavanized and painted galvanized steel panels.

Utility and Light Poles & Lattices: Inspection and evaluation of galvanized, corten and painted carbon steel utility, light poles/lattices. Failure analysis, fatigue investigations, protective coating evaluation, life expectancy determination, corrosion evaluation, underground, ground level and above ground were included in this investigations

R&D: Research & Development of new materials, coatings and sensors for the pipeline, construction/chemical  industry.