Corrosion Testing
Corrosion Testing Laboratories (CTL) was founded as a laboratory to provided corrosion testing services for industrial and commercial product facilities over 35 years ago. Overtime our capabilities have expanded into a wide range of tests related to evaluating the corrosion resistance and corrosivity of different materials.
Testing is performed by the laboratory staff, which is comprised of members that are individually certified by the National Association for Corrosion Engineers (NACE). Certifications held include Corrosion Technicians, Corrosion Technologists, and Material Selection/Design Specialists. CTL has experience testing to methods published by standard development organizations, such as ASTM, NACE, ISO, and MTI , but we excel at adapting accepted test methods to specific or unique applications to assist our clients in the material selection process. A representative list of standards we frequently test to is shown on the right.
Our corrosion testing services divide into three fundamental categories: (1) Material Acceptance Tests, (2) Material Selection Testing, and (3) Regulatory Testing. Additional information about each category is provided below.
Tested corrosion coupons.
- TM 0169
- TM 0174
- TM 0177
- TM 0284
- TM 0187
- A262
- A 763
- F 746
- F 2129
- G 5
- G 28
- G 31
- G 34
- G 35
- G 36
- G 37
- G 41
- G 44
- G 47
- G 48
- G 54
- G 59
- G 61
- G 66
- G 67
- G 69
- G 71
- G 75
- G 78
- G 79
- G 97
- G 103
- G 108
- G 110
- G 123
- G 150
- A90/A90M
- B 813
- ISO 6509
- ISO 10271
- ISO 3651
- ISO 7539-2
- ISO 7539-3
- ISO 7539-5
- ISO 9400
- ISO 9591
- MTI 1
- MTI 2
- MTI 3
- MTI 4
Click here for a complete listing of test standards.
Material acceptance tests is a category of testing that includes methods used to certify material after fabrication has been completed (e.g., rolled metal plates, formed brass valves). These standardized tests aim to ensure material quality and validate that the fabrication process has not compromised the corrosion resistance of the material. Methods that fall into this category include, but are not limited to, the following test methods:
- Stainless Steels and Nickel Alloys: ASTM A 262, G 28, G 48, A 923, A1084, G108, and DuPont SW800M
- Aluminum Alloys: ASTM G66 and ASTM G67
- Materials for Sour Service: NACE TM0284 and NACE TM0177
Corrosion testing is a critical part of the material selection process during the design phase of process equipment and commercial product applications. These tests simulate expected exposure conditions and atmospheres in the hopes of mimicking potential corrosion activity. Corrosion resistance can be evaluated through methods such as comparative visual examination before/after exposure, weight loss measurement, pit depth measurement, and corrosion rate calculations. Standard and custom laboratory tests both provide the critical data for making these decisions. Common test methods employed in the materials selection process include:
- ASTM G31/NACE TM0169 – Single and multi-phase corrosion tests
- Non-Metallics – ASTM D543
- High Pressure and High Temperature – ASTM G111
- Coating Performance Testing NACE TM0174
- Localized Corrosion Resistance
- Electrochemical Corrosion Testing
- Testing for Specific Modes of Corrosion (e.g., Stress Cracking)
- Customized Test Methods to Simulate Specific Environments.
Regulatory agencies, such as the DOT, EPA, and GHS, require proper characterization of chemicals for labeling and shipping purposes. This allows for appropriate and safe transportation, storage and handling of the chemicals. CTL performs a variety of these characterization tests, including:
- Skin Corrosivity – InVitro Corrositex Assay (OECD 435): for DOT, GHS, ECVAM, OSHA and others
- Metal Corrosivity – UN Model Regulation Section 37 : for DOT, GHS and more
- Waste Product Corrosivity – EPA SW-846, Method 1110