Corrosion and structural integrity
- Construction Materials
- Life cycle asset management
- Arc brazing of stainless steel to stainless steel and galvanised mild steel
- Investigation and characterisation of corrosion mechanism for the sol-gel developed Cr6+ free coatings for aircraft Al or Mg alloys
- Liquid Metal Embrittlement in the Arc Brazing of Stainless Steel
- Novel joining techniques
- Accelerated Environmental Corrosion Tests
- High Temperature Testing
- Impedance Spectroscopy
- Metals and Metallic Coatings
- DC Electrochemical Techniques
- Novel scanning electrochemical technologies for mapping defects in organic coatings
- Testing Services
- Localised Corrosion Techniques
- Understanding the failure mechanisms of coatings on contaminated steel substrates
We possess a wide range of techniques to assess corrosion and structural failure.
Our experts come from the widest possible range of backgrounds and approach problems associated with corrosion using a range of expertise and facilities.
Corrosion of steel in concrete is usually associated with carbonation and the ingress of chloride. We are experienced in assessing concrete structures for these situations either in the lab or in the field. Our experimental equipment includes a carbonation chamber to stimulate the long-term effects of carbon dioxide exposure and we can assess concrete materials for free and bound chloride levels. If quality issues are suspected in the initial testing process, we can perform strength tests and chemical tests of the concrete material.
This expertise also allows us to perform life cycle assessment of buildings.
Other materials undergoing corrosion in buildings include galvanised steels and welded materials. We have experts in galvanised steel corrosion and we perform corrosion studies on welded structures, assessing what particularly those problems are and the heat-affected zone. Joining metals can often lead to quality issues even in the absence of welding by galvanic corrosion and we have developed expertise in assessing those issues. Other issues that joints can include pitting and crevice corrosion which we can assess in the laboratory or by means of failure analysis.
Recent additions to our experimental suite include QUV testing to assess the effects of sunlight on the ageing of polymer and coated structures.
Long-term assessment of the resistance of materials to corrosion can be formed by salt spray testing which we have onsite.
Metallic coatings can be extremely complicated. Techniques such as an anodising, sheradising, metal spray coating, nitriding and PVD coating are required by modern industry to provide the highest possible protection of structures and provide the best possible performance in extreme environments. Our experts are able to provide analysis of all these materials and advise on any quality issues experienced by end users. We also help providers of coatings to develop new treatments through research and development programmes.
Electrochemical techniques are the most sensitive techniques for the assessment of the onset of corrosion. We have deep expertise in these techniques and excellent facilities for performing these experiments.
All of the analysis above is supported by our microscopy services, including optical techniques and scanning electron microscopy. We also offer specialist transmission electron microscopy when required.