With over 40 years of experience in solving complex scientific and engineering problems, Exponent is well qualified to assess issues related to corrosion and other types of environment-related degradation. Our corrosion scientists and engineers have a broad background in field investigations, root-cause assessments, and regulatory issues. Using our knowledge of metallurgy, electrochemistry, materials science, and chemistry, we have performed a wide range of investigations into degradation and failure of metallic materials.
Continuous growth in materials technology has brought us to the age of networking by fiber optics and of routinely using microelectronics, advanced alloys, and biomaterials. These rapid changes in materials technology have challenged scientists’ understanding of the performance and degradation of these new materials. As products and materials have become more complex, so have the corrosion problems that they face.
Exponent’s corrosion scientists are uniquely suited to solve a wide range of complex corrosion problems, because they can couple their own broad expertise with that of our mechanical, civil/structural, electrical, and chemical engineers, as well as statisticians, chemists, and polymer scientists. As a result, we can provide a comprehensive, integrated approach to complex problem solving. Working in the consulting, product-development, and litigation-support arenas, Exponent assists clients in a diverse range of industries, including pipeline (gas, water, and other), nuclear and fossil-fuel power generation, mining, marine, aeronautical, chemical processing, pulp and paper, construction, utilities (electric, gas, and water), transportation and infrastructure, electronics and semi-conductors, inorganic and organic coatings (paints), and biomedical.
Our services include:
- Consulting and product development
- Material selection and compatibility assessment
- Field inspections and laboratory examinations
- Root-cause failure analysis
- Corrosion monitoring and remaining-life estimation
- Accelerated life testing
- Corrosion susceptibility assessment
- Electrochemical and corrosion testing
- Performance evaluation of paints and coatings
Types of corrosion investigated:
- General or uniform corrosion
- Localized corrosion: pitting, crevice, and intergranular
- Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)
- Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and corrosion fatigue
- Hydrogen embrittlement
- Galvanic corrosion
- Selective leaching
- Erosion-corrosion
- High-temperature oxidation, carburization, and sulfidation
- Atmospheric corrosion
Our capabilities:
Corrosion potential measurement and long-term monitoring (ISO Standard 16429)
- Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (ASTM Standards F2129 and G61)
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
- Long-term corrosion testing
- Polarization resistance and corrosion-rate measurement
- Galvanic current measurement and monitoring (ASTM Standard G71)
- Linear sweep voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry
- Optical and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy for material characterization and surface analysis
- Specialized corrosion and electrochemical testing