The laboratory “Metal corrosion” of the Institute of Metal Science “Acad. А. Balebski”- BAS is part of “Laboratory for materials analysis & testing and calibration of measuring facilities” (LMTC).
It carries out tests to determine the corrosion resistance of ferrous and non ferrous metals and their alloys and of various organic and non organic coatings connected with their operational reliability in certain corrosion system.
The corrosion of metals is a process of their spontaneous deterioration as a result of physical-chemical interaction with the environment. This concept covers all heterogeneous reactions which go at the boundary between the metal and environment. Depending on the processes that go at the boundary surface of the heterogeneous system metal – environment we discern three main corrosion types – chemical, electrochemical and biochemical.
- Chemical corrosion is the process of interaction of the metal surface with the liquid non-electrolytes or dry gases. In gas corrosion purely chemical processes are carried out because of which the gases should be absolutely dry or if they contain water vapors they should be at temperature above that of boiling water.
- The processes in the atmosphere or in gas medium at room temperature and sometimes at higher temperature when formation of the thinnest layers of electrolyte /above 10 mm/ on the metal surface is possible are referred to the electrochemical corrosion. The electrochemical corrosion is the most widespread type of corrosion. The corrosion in atmospheric conditions, in industry, etc., is usually of electrochemical character.
The Laboratory possesses the necessary equipment, methods and standards to perform model and accelerated corrosion tests of materials for general corrosion, pitting corrosion, intercrystalline corrosion, contact corrosion, salt mist corrosion, corrosion cracking and stress corrosion.
