
Nearly twenty years ago, when the world had barely survived the Y2K bug, Corrosion Testing Laboratories, Inc. set out with the US Mint to explore different options that were viable for the new $1 coin. The world has moved more and more to instant purchases and the almighty plastic card. But, regardless, the U.S. Mint set out to revive the dollar coin inventory.

After 20 years, CTL’s Jeol-JSM-35C scanning electron microscope (SEM) was retired from service. The unit was replaced with a new, state-of-the-art SciXr Global SEM. The acquisition of this new equipment is key in improved efficiency of the work done at CTL. This unit can accommodate a greater variety of sample size and shape. The SEM is frequently used in CTL investigations.

The Severe Wastewater Analysis Test, or S.W.A.T, was a joint development effort between several firms, including CTL, to provide an appropriate, aggressive test to evaluate coatings that are for use in wastewater applications. In 2013, the standard was accepted by ASTM under designation ASTM G210-13. In 2012, the S.W.A.T. was selected by the Materials Performance Magazine

There has been a lot of news about drinking water in the past few years. With the drinking quality issues in various parts of the country, water transport and aging pipe systems have been in the spotlight. In part, these issues stem from the deterioration of the pipelines, as well as possible the water chemistry, that helps drive leachable ions out into the water and through your faucet.

Soil testing is most commonly associated with regulatory requirements and concerns of ground pollution. Did you know that soil testing is a method used by corrosion scientists? Characterizing key parameters such as soil redox, sulfate content, and pH can be used as an indication of soil corrosivity.