Study of chemical corrosion

The study of chemical corrosion aims to evaluate the resistance of metallic materials or coatings when exposed to aggressive chemical environments (acidic, alkaline, saline, or oxidizing solutions).
This analysis makes it possible to quantify the corrosion rate , identify the deterioration mechanisms , and assess the chemical compatibility of materials used in demanding industrial contexts.

Chemical corrosion is a complex phenomenon resulting from electrochemical reactions between a material and its environment , leading to mass loss, pitting, cracking, or deterioration of mechanical properties.
Its assessment is crucial to ensure:

• The durability and reliability of the metal components.
• The safety of industrial installations (tanks, pipes, heat exchangers, metal packaging).
• Regulatory compliance in the fields of food, pharmaceutical or chemical packaging.

Analytical methods used

The study of chemical corrosion can combine several complementary experimental approaches depending on the type of material, the corrosive environment, and the duration of exposure:

• Gravimetric tests : measurement of the mass loss of a sample after immersion in a corrosive environment, allowing the calculation of the corrosion rate (mm/year) .
• Electrochemical methods :

Potentiodynamic polarization to determine corrosion current density and corrosion potential.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to characterize passive layers and protective coatings.

• Surface analyses : observation by optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or EDX analysis to identify corrosion morphologies and the elements involved.
• Accelerated salt spray tests (ISO 9227, ASTM B117) to simulate severe aging conditions.

These methods allow for a complete characterization of the corrosive behavior of a material in a given environment.

For advanced studies, these tests can be combined with Raman spectroscopy to identify the corrosion products formed, or with X-ray diffraction (XRD) to characterize the crystalline phases of the deposits.

Materials and areas of application

The study of chemical corrosion applies to a wide variety of materials and industries:

• Metals and alloys : stainless steels, aluminum, copper, titanium, nickel alloys.
• Coatings and surface treatments : paints, varnishes, galvanizing, anodizing, protective thin layers.
• Packaging materials : metals in contact with food, chemicals or pharmaceuticals.
• Polymers and composites : evaluation of resistance to chemical degradation or solvent permeation.

These tests validate the compatibility between the material and its environment of use , whether it involves liquid products, corrosive gases, oils, acids or industrial solvents.

Industrial and scientific applications

Chemical corrosion analysis is a strategic decision-making tool for:

• Choose the material best suited to a given application (acidic, basic, saline or oxidizing environment).
• Optimize corrosion protection coatings to extend the lifespan of installations.
• Control the quality and conformity of materials according to ISO, ASTM or EN standards.
• Identify the causes of failure during breakdown investigations or aging studies.

These studies contribute directly to the reliability, safety and durability of finished products and industrial infrastructure.

Challenges for packaging and materials

In the metal packaging and polymer materials , the study of chemical corrosion makes it possible to:

• Check for non-interaction between the container and the contents (food or chemical compatibility).
• To guarantee protection against leaks, migrations and contaminations .
• Evaluate barrier properties and resistance to permeation under prolonged storage conditions.

It complements other essential analyses, such as:

• The study of global and specific migration .
• The container-product compatibility test .

YesWeLab's expertise

YesWeLab relies on a network of partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and COFRAC standards , experts in corrosion analysis, electrochemical testing, and surface characterization .
Our teams support manufacturers, engineering firms, and formulators in:

• Selecting the test protocol appropriate to the material and its environment.
• Interpretation of results and modeling of corrosion kinetics .
• Validation of coatings or anti-corrosion treatments according to applicable standards.

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , you can easily request a quote, track your samples and view your test reports online .

To further your studies in materials science, also explore:

• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis to visualize surface structures.
• FTIR infrared spectroscopy to characterize organic or inorganic corrosion products.

For any specific request, contact our scientific team for complete and personalized support in your corrosion analysis and material durability projects.