Exova expands corrosion testing service and introduces new laser scanning technology

Citation

(2011), "Exova expands corrosion testing service and introduces new laser scanning technology", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 58 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2011.12858eab.003

Exova expands corrosion testing service and introduces new laser scanning technology

Article Type: Industrial news From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 58, Issue 5

Exova has expanded its corrosion testing capacity in its Aberdeen laboratory after investing in temperature controlling water baths.

The water baths are used in G48 corrosion testing and include heating elements which control the ferric solution temperature determined by the client. Corrosion test duration is typically 24 h so the baths are designed to keep to a set temperature during this period.

Computerised data recording instruments are installed in the water baths which improves the temperature controlling system. This means that temperature can be continually monitored and recorded over the specified time requirements with a much higher accuracy.

The introduction of these water baths now enables Exova Aberdeen to conduct 24 individual corrosion tests, a substantial increase over the previous number of six.

Jason Clark, Exova’s General Manager of Energy in Scotland and the North East, said: “Exova provides one of the most comprehensive ranges of corrosion testing in the industry and this investment is a further demonstration of our commitment to constantly evolve our services. G48 testing is a vital indicator to determine whether a material is fit for purpose and we are delighted that we can offer our clients an even more comprehensive test.”

G48 testing is used to compare the resistance to the initiation of pitting and crevice corrosion of stainless steels and related alloys.

Exova has also become the first testing firm in Europe to invest in new innovative laser scanning extensometers to be used on its new tensile frames after installing the machinery at its Spijkenisse, The Netherlands laboratory.

The lasers, which have 200 Hz full profile scanning technology, have come as part of a £60,000 investment in improving the business’s tensile testing laboratory services.

The new technology improves the traditional method of strain gages for controlling the straining process by enhancing resolution. The use of double-sided lasers also improves the procedure and reduces the response time.

For organisations working on welding innovations, new applications for materials or failure characteristics, the laser scanning extensometers provide a multi-position strain distribution diagram. One of the unique advantages of the technology is that strain distribution over the full material length can be determined without including material variances in the reported data.

Sander van Nieuwenhuijzen, Exova’s Operational Manager, The Netherlands, said: “Exova is among the industry leaders in the development of techniques for materials testing and the business is constantly reviewing methods to enhance our testing services. This investment allows the business to determine in greater detail how a material will react under different forces and will ensure our clients can choose the most suitable material for any application and mitigate risk.”

Exova’s Spijkenisse laboratory provides a variety of materials testing services – mechanical, chemical and corrosion testing as well as on-site services and failure analysis to clients in The Netherlands and the rest of Europe.

One of the main sectors for tensile testing Exova works in is the Oil and Gas industry. Components are routinely subjected to wear from the harsh environments and tensile testing is critical in determining how a component will perform under various levels of force.

Figure 1 New Exova corrosion testing facilities

In addition to this new laser tensile testing, Exova also offers tensile ambient, non ambient, tensile strain measurement, elevated temperature tensile, bend test, hardness brinell testing and hardness rockwell testing (Figure 1).

More information is available from: www.exova.com