The usability, lifetime and availability of many plants, especially in the chemical and petrochemical, oil and gas, pharmaceutical industries are greatly determined by the resistance to corrosion of the materials used.

In addition to the selection of materials for all individual components and the design and layout, there are numerous other influencing variables which are not very obvious. Slight modifications to the chemical composition of raw materials or additives, minimal deviations from optimum process conditions or minor external influences can trigger active corrosion processes, resulting in serious changes in product quality or damage to and availability of equipment.

The corrosion behaviour of process units, equipment and components is influenced by numerous factors. It is most often identified as the cause of equipment or plant failure through inspection after the damage has occurred.

Laboratory investigations of corrosion processes are elaborate and time consuming. Very often temporary changes in the process conditions can result in excessive corrosion rates. Unknown and complex correlations between the process changes and materials behaviour exist which can only be determined empirically through the use of advanced measuring technology.