Materials Selection & Design

New Laser Technique Aims to Reveal Hidden Damage in Metals

This U.S. research team believes a spectroscopic method known as second harmonic generation, which alters the wavelength of light, can be adapted to look for signs of internal damage in metals.

Terahertz Waves Detect Early Corrosion in Concrete-Encased Steel

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a noninvasive technique utilizing terahertz radiation that reveals corrosion in concrete-encased steel before it can cause any significant degradation of the structure.

Cold Spray Technology Designed to Repair Commercial Aircraft Parts

A joint project by The University of Akron and Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services is targeting “cold spray” repair of corroded and worn parts on commercial aircraft.

Corrosion Analysis in Automotive Electronics

This investigation used an analysis with the Auger electron spectroscopy technique to characterize the corrosion in a microelectronic component utilized to activate automobile airbags.

Corrosion Management and Cost Optimization

A better appreciation of the various components of typical corrosion costs in the oil and gas industry could further facilitate their optimization.

Plastic Cooling Towers Cut Costs, Corrosion Risk in Sintering Operations

For metalworking operations using extreme heat, a recent case study found that engineered plastic cooling towers could provide effective cooling without corroding.

A New Approach to Corrosion-Resistant Aerospace Designs

An easy-to-use software program was developed to help make good material choices by predicting and quantifying galvanic corrosion risk.

Testing Materials for Corrosion in an Icelandic Geothermal Environment

Geothermal power is Iceland’s single largest source of energy; however, geothermal steam contains noncondensable gases that are considered to be either greenhouse, corrosive, or toxic.

Research Project Focuses on Microbial-Induced Pipeline Corrosion

A collaborative four-year research project will study microorganisms found in oil and gas pipeline environments and look for trends related to microbiologically influenced corrosion.

Missouri Researchers Study Benefits of Zero-Cement Concrete

Researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology are testing mixtures of zero-cement concrete made with fly ash to see if it can be more durable and resilient than concrete using ordinary Portland cement.

Improved Packaging Film with Vapor Phase Inhibitors, High Recycle Content

Plastic packaging films can be readily impregnated with vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) to provide corrosion protection, in addition to the basic physical barrier afforded by the plastic.

Corrosion of Preheater Tubes in a Heat Recovery Boiler

External corrosion of preheater tubes in a power plant heat recovery boiler was analyzed, revealing that the preheater tubes were attacked by the sulfuric acid-containing electrolyte from the sulfur-containing environment.

Researchers Launch New Corrosion Studies on Solar Cells

Researchers from industry, academia, and U.S. Department of Energy laboratories are working together to research the corrosion of solar cells, with a goal of developing longer-lasting photovoltaic panels.

Researchers Test Materials in Tropics to Better Preserve Military Equipment

The Department of Defense Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office enlisted partners to expose various materials to outdoor tropical regions.

Stainless Metering Valves Used to Protect Marine Lubrication Systems

The protection of automatic marine lubrication systems with stainless steel (SS) metering valves could offer significant advantages over a prior solution of encapsulating valves in epoxy.