Corrosion testing laboratory

Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) tests are performed to evaluate the performance of materials used in extreme conditions, such as prolonged exposure to particularly aggressive gases such as H₂S (hydrogen sulfide), CO₂ (carbon dioxide), NH₃ (ammonia), and H₂ (hydrogen). SCC tests are necessary to develop innovative solutions for products and components in various fields of application. Our staff is qualified by AMPP as “Corrosion Expert Technicians” and is a point of reference for solving corrosion-related problems.

Hydrogen Embrittlement is a phenomenon that reduces the ductility and strength of metals, leading to sudden fractures. The characterization of materials in a gaseous H₂ environment plays a fundamental role in the validation of materials and components that use gaseous hydrogen. This corrosion test evaluates the susceptibility of metallic materials, particularly high-strength steels, to hydrogen diffusion that occurs during galvanic processes or exposure to hydrogen under pressure. Hydrogen embrittlement tests are essential for sectors such as Aerospace, Automotive, Energy and Oil & Gas, where the safety of structures is paramount. Pontlab is among the few laboratories able to perform specific tests for the evaluation of hydrogen embrittlement on metallic materials, often an insidious cause of material failure: the benefits include the prevention of structural failures and the improvement of component reliability.

Accelerated aging tests such as Mixed Flowing Gases (MFG), also known as Noxious Gas testing or Harmful Gas testing, simulate prolonged exposure of materials to particularly aggressive atmospheric conditions in the laboratory, characterized by the presence of corrosive gases such as chlorine (Cl₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) at controlled concentrations. MFG tests are carried out in a climatic chamber and are essential for assessing the durability of electrical and electronic components intended for a wide range of sectors, such as electronic boards, electric motors, electrical connectors, contacts, bare metals, and complete products.

The most classic corrosion test is the one in a climate chamber saturated with salt spray, with the possibility of adjusting temperature, humidity, and pH. The tests are performed in a specially designed climate chamber, where a saline solution aerosol is sprayed in a controlled manner to simulate aggressive environmental conditions. This method accelerates the corrosive processes compared to natural exposure, providing rapid and reliable results. In our laboratory, salt spray corrosion tests can be customized by adjusting parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pH, in accordance with international standards. We can perform neutral salt spray (NSS) tests, suitable for verifying the protection offered by metal and organic coatings; acetic acid salt spray (AASS) tests, useful for testing anodized and galvanized coatings; and cupro-salt-acetic acid (CASS) tests, which are particularly aggressive and used to verify the resistance of materials intended for severe applications.

Electrochemical testing measures the corrosion resistance of metallic materials using techniques such as linear polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. These tests provide rapid information on the electrochemical behavior of materials in different environments. Electrochemical testing is used in the automotive, aerospace, biomedical, and oil & gas industries to optimize protective coatings and select corrosion-resistant materials. Key benefits include reduced analysis times and the ability to predict material life.

Chloride tests evaluate the resistance of metallic materials to the aggressive action of chlorides, which are responsible for phenomena such as localized corrosion and stress corrosion. These corrosion tests allow the durability and reliability of materials in critical environments to be verified, ensuring compliance with reference standards. Performed in saline solutions or high-humidity environments, these tests are essential for sectors such as maritime, oil & gas, automotive, and construction, where materials are exposed to salt spray or corrosive environments, allowing for the prevention of failures and the selection of the most durable materials. The laboratory also performs specific tests to evaluate the resistance of metallic materials to pitting and crevice corrosion, simulating aggressive conditions.

These tests simulate the cyclic exposure of materials to variable environmental conditions, alternating phases of exposure to salt spray, humidity, and drying to reproduce corrosion behavior in real conditions. They are essential in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries for testing the durability of coatings and metal alloys. They offer more accurate predictive analysis than static tests, improving the development of resistant materials.

Solid erosion (Air Jet Erosion) is one of the corrosion tests that evaluates the resistance of materials subjected to the impact of moving solid particles. This phenomenon is common in industrial plants, turbines, pipes, and pneumatic transport systems. The test consists of striking the sample with a stream of air laden with abrasive particles that erode its surface. According to ASTM G76, the weight loss per unit of time is quantified, representing the degree of erosion or wear rate. Used in sectors such as energy, aerospace, oil & gas, and automotive, mainly to test the resistance of coatings, plating, epoxy resins, welds, and paints, this corrosion test is used to improve the design of wear-resistant materials and optimize the service life of components in highly abrasive environments.