Corrosion Testing

ASTM & NACE Corrosion Testing	Customized Corrosion testing
General Exposure Testing	Environmentally-assisted Corrosion Testing
Treated Wood  Corrosion Testing: CCA vs ACQ & CA...... AWPA Standard E12-94 Testing	Determining Corrosion Rate and/or Pitting ASTM G102
Stress Corrosion Cracking Testing and Evaluation ASTM G44	Electrochemical Hydrogen Permeation ASTM G148
Immersion Corrosion Testing ASTM G31	Polarization Resistance & Potentiodynamic ASTM G61 & G59
Corrosion Testing and Corrosion Control in Electeical, Tellecomun and Utility Manholes	Reactivation Pp/Ec Trend Studies ASTM G108
Humidity Chamber Testing ASTM D2247 & D4585	Materials & Coating Selection
Corrosion Rate Determination ASTM G102	Slow Strain Rate & Hydrogen Testing ASTM F1624 & G129
Mixed Flowing Gas (MFG) Environmental Testing ASTM B827	Atmospheric Corrosion Testing ASTM G50
Full Electrochemical (AC & DC) Corrosion Testing ASTM G5, G61, & G59 , ASTM G108	Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing ASTM G142
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy ASTM G106	Determining corrosion of metal in ontact with treated wood   AWPA E12-94

At Matco, we specialize in conducting accelerated corrosion testing, electrochemical corrosion testing and failure analysis investigations. This requires not only a laboratory that features state of the art equipment, but a multidisciplinary professional staff as well. The Corrosion Testing and Product Development Laboratory, located in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania and Miami, Florida, has been in existence since 1993 and is one of the premier corrosion testing and inspection facilities in North America. The four primary functions are:

• Materials/Coating Evaluation, Selection and Testing
• Laboratory and Field Corrosion Testing (ASTM and NACE Tests)
• Cathodic Protection Design, Installation and Monitoring
• Materials Research and Development
• ASTM and NACE Corrosion Tests and Customized Corrosion Testing

Matco's Corrosion Department Manager Preperaing A Huge Graphite Anode For Cathodic Protection of  Offshore Tunnel Under Chesapeake Bay. Our engineers are hands-on type and find the solution to problems in the field. To solve a technical problem the engineer should get up close and personal with his materials

The purpose of an accelerated corrosion test is to cause, corrosion, degradation or failure in a shorter time period than under normal conditions without change in failure mechanism(s). This can be accpmpished using cabinet tests, simulated service tests, electrochemical corrosion testing, immersion tests, atmospheric corrosion tests and in service corrosion tests.

Accelerated life testing of components is used to obtain information on life distribution. Accelerated corrosion testing is achieved by subjecting the test components to conditions that are more severe than normal service conditions. This results in shorter lives than would be normally observed. For example, the results obtained at higher temperatures (i.e. accelerated conditions) may then be extrapolated to room temperature (i.e. to the normal conditions) to obtain an estimate of the life under normal conditions.

Accelerated factors are based on scientific description of the corrosion failure process, but give little insight into the statistical distribution of failures. Reliable accelerating factors or acceleration rates cannot be obtained by casually calculating failure rates at different levels of stress. Acceleration can only be determined by examining the degree to which the life distribution shifts, in time, under the influence of a stress. Several requirements must be addressed in evaluating the usefulness of a stress level for testing.

1. The stress should be one that is found in service (temperature, corrosive compounds, , stress, humidity,.... etc.)

2. The corrosion failure mechanisms should be the same as those which would occur under normal stress, (electrochemical, high temperature diffusion....).

3. Samples from a given population should respond similarly to a change in  corrosion and stress: i.e., components  & devices and components which fail first at one stress level should also have failed first if a different stress level had been used.

4. A sufficient understanding of the failure mechanism should be available so that test data can be handled in a physically meaningful way. For example establishment of basic laws governing electrode reactions under ultra thin layer electrolytes is very important in atmospheric corrosion.

Since the major purpose of accelerated testing is to compress the normal degradation process into a reasonably short period, it is important that the conditions simulated by accelerated testing, at least have some direct correlation to normal operating conditions. Undue acceleration of selected life characteristics at the expense of gaining information about others should be avoided. It is also very desirable to retain failed devices in a condition that allows them to be carefully examined to determine the causes of failure.

The investigation of complex corrosion failures may require multidisciplinary testing and analysis to determine the root cause of failure. The end determination must be made with a high degree of certainty to assure that proper replacement materials are selected and that the most effective corrosion control methods are used.

The Corrosion Testing and Product Development Laboratory at Matco boasts high tech instrumentation that includes computerized Corrosion Electrochemical Testing Equipment (AC And DC), Accelerated Corrosion Testing Equipment, Environmental (CF and SCC) Corrosion Testing Equipment, Alternate and Immersion Testing Equipment, Cabinet Testing and Mixed Flow Gas testing equipment. As every good scientist knows, having the right tools is half the battle in providing accurate and reliable test results to the client.

    Electrochemical Polarization and Microstrcutral Characteristics of two Types of Coatings (Alonized & Chromatized) in acidic chlorides. Chromatized coating exhibits superior corrosion resistance in this application

The other half of the battle is having the right staff. At Matco the Corrosion Division staff includes NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) Certified Corrosion Engineers, Materials Selection/Design, Coatings and Cathodic Protection Specialists, Materials Scientists, Professional Engineers, Metallurgists, Polymer Scientists, Chemists, and Paint and Coating specialists. By combining the right equipment with the right staff, determinations of the root cause can be made.

Matco's scientists can design any type of electrochemical corrosion testing set up or create any environment for corrosion testing

Matco's other capabilities include metallurgical investigations; R&D of new products or improvements to existing products, inspectors for onsite investigations and third party inspections, one to two day seminars on materials selection, corrosion, coating and failure analysis, and litigation support. We can also perform a wide array of routine NACE and ASTM test procedures for evaluating the corrosion resistance of metallic and non-metallic materials and components in adverse environments. If necessary, Matco personnel can be on site within 48 hours when requested during emergency situations.

At Matco, we provide you with a laboratory that you can count on. We deliver accurate and reliable test results and root cause determinations on which future materials selection and corrosion control decisions can be based.

Matco's Galvanic Test Set-Up (Special Test Set-up for Corrosivity Determination of Presrvatives Such as CCA, CBA, ACQ, CA...and New Chemical Treatments)

Specialists in Corrosion Engineering & Failure Analysis

Experienced PE, PhD Scientists, NACE Certified in Corrosion, Coating, Design , Materials Selection & Cathodic Protection Specialists who will solve your corrosion problems at both initial design stages and in service. We have been providing corrosion engineering services for over 3000 clients.

• Corrosion Engineering and Cathodic Protection of Production /Transmission Facilities: (a) Underground (b) Above Ground (c) Marine Environments
• Corrosion Evaluation, life expectancy determination and cathodic protection of electrical poles and transmission lattices
• Corrosion mapping, detection of "Hot Spots", cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures
• Explosions/Fire Investigation forensic engineering
• Electrochemical EIS , DC and AC Testing - Determination of cathodic protection criteria for non-ferrous alloys and stainless steels
• On-site Evaluation of tanks and corrosion mitigation by protective coatings and internal or external Cathodic Protection
• Corrosivity determination of soil, water and determination of corrosion mitigation techniques
• On-site coating evaluation and selection of coatings for specific corrosive environments by EIS technique
• Electrochemical, Cabinet and Standard Corrosion Testing of treated wood in contact with: Galvanized Steel, Alumnium, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel and painted Materials

Corrosion Group

Corrosion team is comprised of certified and experienced personnel from a variety of technical disciplines including: corrosion engineering, cathodic protection, paint inspection, chemistry, metallurgy, and materials science.  We also have a vast array of laboratory and field testing equipment. All of Matco's testing equipment is calibrated on a routine basis in accordance with both national and international standards, and is ready to be put to use at a moment's notice.

Our team of NACE Certified Corrosion/Materials Selection/ Design/Coating/Cathodic Protection  Specialists (*) includes:

                    Dr. M. Zee(*)                                             Mr. Geoff Rhodes (*)

                    Dr. Don Gibbon                                         Mr. Kevin Groll  (*)          

                    Dr. George Bayer                                      Ms. Debra Riley (*)

                    Mr. Joe Tureck                                          Mr. Ed Larkin

                    Mr. Ed MaCan, PE                                    Mr. Walter Gretz, PE

                    Dr. Kasraie, PE                                         Dr. Huping Xue

                    Dr. Bavarian                                              Mr. Jay Metha 

An illustrated formal report documents the results of the investigation. If necessary, Matco personnel can usually be on site almost immediately when requested during emergency situations.

ASTM Testing Methods
ASTM A90/A90M Weight of Zinc Coatings	ASTM G5 Potentiostatic / Potentiodynamic Anodic Polarization
ASTM A262 Practice A (Oxalic Acid Etch)	ASTM G28 Method A (Ferric Sulfate / Sulferic Acid)
ASTM A262 Practice B (Streicher Test)	ASTM G28 Method B (PEMT)
ASTM A262 Practice C (Huey Test)	ASTM G31 Immersion Testing
ASTM A262 Practice D (Modified Strauss Test)	ASTM G36 Boiling Magnesium Chloride
ASTM A380 Cleaning and Descaling Stainless Steels	ASTM G44 Alternate Immersion Testing
ASTM A923 SSAT Duplex Stainless Steels	ASTM G47 Stress Corrosion Cracking of Aluminum
ASTM B813 Liquid and Paste Fluxes for Soldering Copper	ASTM G48 Method A (Ferric Chloride Pitting)
ASTM B154 Mercurous Nitrate - Copper and Copper Alloys	ASTM G48 Method B (Ferric Chloride Crevice)
ASTM C871 Extraction of Leachable Ions	ASTM G48 Method C (Ferric Chloride Critical Pitting)
ASTM D1141 Ocean Water	ASTM G48 Method D (Ferric Chloride Critical Crevice Temperature)
ASTM D1193 Reagent Water	ASTM G49 Constant Load Test
ASTM D2240 Rubber Property Durometer Hardness	ASTM G61 Cyclic Potentiodynamic
ASTM D2583 Barcol Hardness	ASTM G71 Galvanic Couple Test
ASTM D4340 Pressurized Hot Wall	ASTM G75 Miller Weat Test
ASTM E3 Standard Metallographic Practice	ASTM G102 Calculation or Corrosion Rates from E/C Measurements
ASTM E45 Inclusion Content	ASTM G108 E/C Reactivation for Detecting Sensitization
ASTM E112 Grain Size	ASTM G123 Boiling Sodium/Calcium/Lithium Chloride
ASTM F746 Medical Implants	ASTM G150 Critical Pitting Temperature
ASTM F2129 E/C Testing of Surgical Implants in Hank's Solution	ASTM G3 Conventions Applicable to E/C Measurements
ASTM G1 Preparation, Cleaning, Evaluating Test Specimens

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 Associates? As one of the premier testing and failure analysis firms featuring state of the art equipment, Matco Associates is able to provide a unique and diverse blend of services. Thousands of investigations have been performed at Matco Associates, 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.

MATCO is conveniently located halfway between the Pittsburgh International Airport and downtown Pittsburgh, and only a few yards from an exit on the Parkway West (I-279/US22-30), so reaching our laboratories and offices is quick and easy. Please feel free to call to discuss your problems and arrange a visit to our laboratories.  Matco has an office and laboratory in Florida/ Miami/ Fort Lauderdate/Orlando area. You can always call Matco at 1-800-221-9090 or Cell 412-952-8441 if you need emergency rush job.