ABSTRACT
CHARLES G. ARNOLD Dow Chemical Company, Texas Division, Freeport, Texas PHILIP A. SCHWEITZER, P.E. Consultant, Chester, New Jersey
The most reliable corrosion-testing technique is that of exposing actual parts in their intended service environment and then evaluating the corrosion that took place. Usually, this technique is not used because it is too expensive and time-consuming, and the results of the evaluation are often subjective which makes it difficult to compare metals. Reliable corrosion data can be obtained with a number of techniques, if the corrosion tests are designed and conducted properly. The simplest techniques involve the determination of a change in dimension or weight and observation of the corroded surface. More complex techniques involve measurement of hydrogen diffusion or electrical resistance or determining electrochemical characteristics. The use of these techniques, together with their advantages, are discussed in the remainder of this chapter.
