In many technical applications, materials and components are exposed to operation environments that can lead to corrosive attack. In these cases corrosion may be of a rather “harmless“ nature (“patina“). Quite often though, it can also lead to unwanted and even catastrophic damage of technical structures (corrosion failure). Examples from different areas of technology in which corrosion may play a life-limiting role are:

-  Maritime applications

-  Civil engineering

-  Transportation 

-  Aviation

-  Chemical and petrochemical process industries

-  Energy conversion and storage

-  Food technology

The corrosion processes occurring in these cases are often highly complex and characterized  by the interaction of a variety of different operational and materials parameters. In the simplest case, a corrosion system can be defined by the parameters: material, corrosive environment and mechanical stresses. Quite often though, further sub-parameters are concealed behind these three primary parameters, e. g. resulting from manufacturing processes (welding effects, surface finishing, etc.) or operation history, which can decisively influence the life-time of a structure. Thus, proper selection of materials as well as understanding and prevention of corrosion damage require a comprehensive materials science approach which encompasses all relevant parameters.

As part of such an approach we can offer the following services:

-  Assessment of material concepts

-  Expert documents on damage cases

-  Assistance with contacts to internationally renowned research institutions for analytical

    and experimental investigations, and scientific/technical guidance in the projects

-  Scientific expert reports on research proposals and planned research

    activities

We look forward to you contacting us!