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Corrosion Testing


Corrosion and Environmental Behavior Testing:

  • ASTM & NACE Corrosion Tests
  • General Exposure Testing
  • Localized Corrosion (Pitting, Crevice, Intergranular)
  • Stress Corrosion Cracking(SCC) Testing and Evaluation
  • Immersion Corrosion Testing
  • Salt Spray Testing
  • Humidity Chamber Testing
  • Corrosion Rate Determination: Low & High Temperature Applications
  • Corrosion Immersion Testing (low and high pressure)
  • Full Electrochemical (AC & DC) Corrosion Testing
  • Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy(EIS)
  • High Temperature Oxidation Studies
  • Environmentally-assisted Cracking, Fatigue, and High Temperature Corrosion Testing
  • Determining Corrosion Rate and/or Pitting Potential Corrosion Behavior
  • Electrochemical Hydrogen Permeation Studies
  • Polarization Resistance & Potentiodynamic Testing
  • Reactivation Pp/Ec Trend Studies
  • Materials & Coating Selection for Corrosive Environments
  • Slow Strain Rate & Hydrogen Testing
  • Atmospheric Corrosion Testing & Evaluation of Corrosivity of Plant Environments
  • Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing

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

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

  • Materials/Coating Evaluation, Selection and Testing
  • Laboratory and Field Corrosion Testing
  • Cathodic Protection Design, Installation and Monitoring
  • Materials Research and Development
  • The Corrosion Testing and Product Development Laboratory at Matco boasts high tech equipment 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 equipment is half the battle in providing accurate and reliable test results to the client.

    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 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 strive to provide you with a laboratory that you can count on to provide accurate and reliable test results and root cause determinations for which future materials selection and corrosion control decisions can be made.

    The Next Step

    While Matco has the expertise and the technology to resolve even the most difficult material failures, your input is greatly needed for a complete analysis. By giving us a full description of the problem and filling out the sample identification/submittal form you can be assured that all aspects of your project will be fully considered. Solutions are just around the corner at Matco.
    • Click here for our online Sample Identification/Submittal Form.
    • Click here to contact us.

    Cathodic Protection

    One of the most effective, and in many cases the only method for preventing corrosion, is cathodic protection. MATCO Associates can offer the following:

    Computer aided design of cathodic protection systems, galvanic and impressed

    Evaluation of installed cathodic protection systems

    Soil and water resistivity surveys

    Structure-to-soil potential surveys (close interval) on soil and concrete

    Stray current surveys

    Trouble shooting surveys

    Training and Educational Seminars

    To promote better understanding of corrosion, MATCO Associates offers Training and Educational Seminars.

    Research and Development

    Contract research and development on all aspects of corrosion and corrosion control is available at MATCO's Laboratories.

    Corrosion Laboratory

    Electrochemical measurement units, EG & G Potentiostat/Galvanostat Models 263 and 273, with an advanced data acquisition system and electrochemical software: ASTM G5, G44M AND G47

    EG&G SRET computerized Model 100 to investigate localized corrosion

    Impendance Spectroscopy and AC polarization testing unit to evaluate coatings

    Alternate Immersion Tester, eight stations, per ASTM G47

    Harshaw Salt Spray Chamber/Humidity Chamber (ASTM B117)

    Stress Corrosion Suspectibility Tests: Slow Strain Rate Technique, two stations strain rate 10--4-10-8cm-1--Both stations are controlled with a PC, and requirements can be applied independently on each station.

    Rotating Beam Fatigue and Corrosion Fatigue Crack Growth Rate Determination

    The Next Step

    While Matco has the expertise and the technology to resolve even the most difficult material failures, your input is greatly needed for a complete analysis. By giving us a full description of the problem and filling out the sample identification/submittal form you can be assured that all aspects of your project will be fully considered. Solutions are just around the corner at Matco.

    • Click here for our online Sample Identification/Submittal Form.
    • Click here to contact us.



    Why Choose Matco Associates?

    As one of the premier testing and inspection facilities featuring state of the art equipment, Matco Associates is able to provide a unique and diverse blend of services. Virtually thousands of investigations have been performed at Matco Associates, which range from jet engines and boiler tubes, to computer components and implants. Projects are not only conducted from initiation to completion with competent and experienced personnel, but conducted in a discrete manner that ensures confidentiality as well.

    72 Hour Rush Service
    Call Today: 1-800-221-9090
    Headquarters Phone: (412) 788-1263
    Headquarters Fax: (412) 788-1283

    Main Office Address:
    MATCO Associates, Inc.
    4640 Campbells Run Road
    Pittsburgh, PA 15205

    Matco Inc - Failure Analysis or E-mail Matco Associates

    Materials Forum

    MATCO CLIENTS IN THE PUBLIC EYE, MATCO BEHIND THE SCENES

    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 that includes failure analysis investigations, corrosion investigations, and quality control testing.

    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.

    Paint 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.

    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 Invesgitagtion:

    Failure analysis of a gas main explosion that caused casualities.

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

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

    R&D:
    Research & Development of coatings and sensors for the construction industry.