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 , to identify the alteration mechanisms and to evaluate 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 losses, pitting, cracks or deterioration of mechanical properties.
Its assessment is crucial to ensure:

• The durability and reliability of metal components.
• Safety of industrial installations (tanks, pipes, exchangers, metal packaging).
• Regulatory compliance in the areas 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 corrosion rate to be calculated (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 under optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or EDX analysis to identify corrosion morphologies and the elements involved.
• Accelerated salt spray testing (ISO 9227, ASTM B117) to simulate severe aging conditions.

These methods allow 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, galvanizations, anodizations, thin protective layers.
• Packaging materials : metals in contact with foodstuffs, chemicals or pharmaceuticals.
• Polymers and composites : evaluation of resistance to chemical degradation or solvent permeation.

These tests allow us to 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).
• corrosion protection coatings
• Control the quality and conformity of materials according to ISO, ASTM or EN standards.
• Identify the causes of failure during breakdown assessments or aging studies.

These studies contribute directly to the reliability, safety and sustainability of finished products and industrial infrastructures.

Challenges for packaging and materials

In the metal packaging and polymer materials , the study of chemical corrosion allows:

• Check that there is no interaction between the container and the contents (food or chemical compatibility).
• Ensure protection against leaks, migrations and contamination .
• To evaluate barrier properties and permeation resistance under prolonged storage conditions.

It complements other essential analyses, such as:

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

YesWeLab expertise

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

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

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

To further your materials studies, also discover:

• 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 materials durability projects.