Galvanic Corrosion Testing

Element provides galvanic corrosion tests in accordance with ASTM G71 and client-specific standards for evaluating the behavior of metals and metallic coatings in accelerated corrosion environments. We help you select appropriate materials at the design stage and offer in-field support to give fast answers in live applications. 

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two or more dissimilar metals (electrodes) are brought into electrical contact in the presence of a common corrosive electrolyte (e.g. seawater). When a galvanic couple forms, the less resistant material becomes the anode and the more resistant the cathode. The cathodic material corrodes slower than normal or not at all, while the corrosion of the anodic material is greatly enhanced.

Our leading corrosion testing laboratories carry out galvanic corrosion testing on combinations of metals and metallic coatings to evaluate the damage due to galvanic corrosion. We can assist you in selecting the right materials combinations for your required application. 

Galvanic corrosion test standards and practices

•  ASTM G82 - Guide for Development and Use of a Galvanic Series for Predicting Galvanic Corrosion Performance
•  ASTM G71 - Practice for Conducting and Evaluating Galvanic Corrosion Tests in Electrolytes

Element’s Engaged Experts can apply the standard galvanic series of materials in seawater to predict service performance relatively to galvanic corrosion, whilst taking into consideration differences in environmental conditions that can greatly affect the rank ordering of materials. 

Exposure of galvanic couples 

Our corrosion testing laboratories are able to simulate a material’s condition, environment and geometry as close to the application as possible. This allows us to simulate a galvanic corrosion situation where a galvanic couple is constructed between materials and placed in the environment of interest. 

Electrochemical analysis

Element’s Engaged Experts perform electrochemical corrosion testing analysis to evaluate galvanic corrosion performance of two or more dissimilar metals when electrically connected in a selected environment using three main test categories:

• Sensitive galvanic current measurement using Zero Resistance Ammetry (ZRA)
• Galvanic series determination
• Preferential weld corrosion

The Element advantage

Our galvanic corrosion testing services provide you with the necessary data on how your materials and components are likely to perform when deployed in the field, to ensure they are always of a high quality and are safe, compliant and ultimately fit for purpose.

For more information about how we perform Galvanic Corrosion Testing, or to request a quote, contact us today.