Electrochemical Analysis

Electrochemical testing is particularly valuable when you need to measure corrosion rate, compare materials or treatments, investigate corrosion mechanisms, evaluate coatings or inhibitors, or understand the effect of specific environmental or operating variables.

It can provide quantitative information about corrosion behaviour and degradation under controlled conditions and can help assess and compare expected corrosion performance.

Where additional information on the physical appearance and development of corrosion or coating deterioration over time is required, exposure-based methods such as salt spray or immersion testing can be added as complementary tests.

Combining these approaches can provide a more comprehensive assessment, with electrochemical testing providing quantitative information on corrosion behaviour and exposure testing providing direct observations of changes such as rusting, blistering, delamination, staining or other visible deterioration.

Electrochemical testing can complement metallurgical failure analysis by showing how a material behaves under conditions representative of the service environment.

Testing can investigate variables such as electrolyte chemistry, temperature, material condition, welding or heat treatment, surface condition and inhibitor concentration. Results can then be considered alongside visual examination, metallography, SEM/EDS, chemical analysis and other findings to develop a more complete understanding of the corrosion mechanism.

Yes. Testing can compare the corrosion response of a material with and without an inhibitor under comparable conditions. The reduction in corrosion rate can be quantified and inhibitor efficiency calculated, helping assess performance, compare products or investigate whether a dosing strategy provides adequate protection.

Yes. Candidate materials can be tested under the same controlled conditions using an electrolyte representative of the intended service environment. Their electrochemical behaviour and relative corrosion performance can then be directly compared to support material selection.

Yes. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy can assess the barrier and electrochemical properties of protective coating systems and monitor changes associated with degradation. It is useful for comparing coating systems, investigating exposure or ageing effects, and detecting performance changes before substantial visible deterioration develops.

When different metals are electrically connected in the presence of an electrolyte, galvanic corrosion may occur. Testing measures the current generated when the metals are coupled under specified conditions, helping determine the severity of the interaction and whether the proposed combination presents a corrosion risk.

The methods provide different but complementary information. Salt spray, immersion and other exposure tests assess performance after exposure to specified conditions and are commonly used where a standard or acceptance criterion applies.

Electrochemical techniques measure the material's electrochemical response and can provide corrosion rate, polarization behaviour, pitting and repassivation behaviour, and coating impedance in a much shorter timeframe.

Electrochemical testing does not replace conventional testing where a particular method is required by a specification. The appropriate method depends on the material, service environment and question being investigated.