Anticorrosive coating analysis in the laboratory

Chemical analysis Characterization of materials Problem solving
More than 140 people
More than 140 people at your service
5200 m² laboratory
5200 m² laboratory + 99% of services are provided in-house
+2200 clients
+2200 clients en France et à l'étranger

The FILAB laboratory offers you its expertise in corrosion expertise to analyze, diagnose and prevent degradation phenomena on your metal materials. Thanks to our advanced equipment and our specialized team, we support you in identifying the causes of corrosion and implementing solutions tailored to your industry.

You would like to perform an anticorrosive coating analysis

What is an anticorrosion coating?

An anticorrosive coating is a protective layer applied to a material, generally metallic, to protect it from corrosion, that is to say, from its degradation in contact with external elements such as oxygen, moisture, chemicals or salt.

Why analyze anticorrosive coatings?

True industrial scourge, corrosion phenomena impact the reliability and strength of a metal product and its structure. The presence of corrosion may also be subject to health or environmental safety issues.

Understanding corrosion phenomena is a major challenge in the industrial sector. The analysis of anticorrosive coating by a specialized laboratory will allow to identify the causes external to the material, in order to adapt your activity with durable and reliable solutions.

The analysis of anticorrosion coating : an expertise from the FILAB laboratory

For more than 30 years, our FILAB laboratory has put its know-how and cutting-edge analytical equipment at the service of companies, by offering a complete corrosion expertise. From the analysis to the in-depth study of anticorrosion coating, we accompany you through tailor-made solutions adapted to your industrial issues.

Anticorrosive coating analysis

Check for uniformity and adhesion (pull-out test)

Analysis of the chemical composition of protective layers

Detection of application or formulation defects

Development of new surface treatments

Comparative chemical analysis between different materials

The different types of anti-corrosion coatings

Metallic coatings

These coatings often act by sacrificial or barrier effect.

Zinc coating (electrolytic or hot zinc)

  • Cathodic protection (zinc corrodes instead of metal)
  • Current in construction, automotive, screws

Galvanization: 

  • Hot zinc bath, thick layer
  • Very used for steel structures outdoors

Nickel plating / chromium plating:

  • Mechanical and aesthetic barrier
  • Used for parts exposed to wear and aggressive environments

Aluminisation : 

  • Good resistance to high temperatures and oxidation
  • Used in Aeronautics, heavy industry
Organic coatings

They form a tight physical barrier between the metal and the environment.

Anticorrosive paints (epoxy, polyurethane, acrylic...)

  • Versatile protection, customizable according to the environment
  • May contain corrosion inhibiting pigments

Technical varnishes / resins

  • Often used in addition to chemical treatments
  • Protective and aesthetic finish
Inorganic/ chemical coatings

These coatings provide specific surface properties (passivation, insulation...).

Phosphatation

  • Chemical treatment creating a crystalline layer
  • Primer for paint, improves adhesion

Anodisation (aluminum)

  • Electrolysis that thickens the natural oxide layer
  • Excellent resistance to corrosion and wear

Chemical conversion (chromatation, anodic oxidation...)

  • Passivating coating, often on aluminium or magnesium
High-performance ceramic/ polymer coatings

Coatings used in extreme conditions (high temperature, aggressive chemicals).

PTFE, PEEK ...

  • Very high chemical resistance
  • Applications in chemistry, pharmaceutical, medical

Sol-gel or technical ceramics

  • Ultra thin films, high performance protection
  • Research, energy, electronics

Our technical resources

SEM-EDX: high resolution visualization of the surface, local elemental analysis of the layers 

FTIR: identification of functional groups in organic coatings (resins, varnishes, paints)

XPS: analysis of surface layers, chemical characterization and oxidation of elements

ICP-AES / ICP-MS : precise quantification of metal elements in the coating

MO: observation of coating layers, mechanical or optical measurement of thickness

Further information

our electrochemical analysis services

Measurement of the free potential (OCV) to evaluate the spontaneous electrochemical behavior of a metal in a given medium (water)

Study of galvanic coupling in order to analyze the interactions between two metallic materials to identify differential corrosion risks (ex: Zinc vs Steel)

Characterization of protective properties: barrier properties, porosity, water permeability, delamination, filamentary corrosion... ,

Impedance measurement to analyse the properties of the interfaces between a material and its electrochemical environment

Determination of the corrosion rate (LSV) in order to know the corrosion rate (mm/year) in various environments (salt water, pure water, inhibitor presence)

Measurement of corrosion potential (polarization curves) Potensiostat

Development of specific electrochemical tests (cathodic delamination, ACET, corrosion at the edges ...)

FAQ

Why analyse an anti-corrosion coating?

The aim is to check its actual effectiveness in a given environment (wet, acid, saline, alkaline, etc.). The analysis enables us to characterise the quality of the deposit, its resistance over time, its adhesion to the substrate, and to anticipate degradation mechanisms.

In what contexts is this type of analysis used?

This type of analysis is used in a number of industrial contexts: in quality control, to compare different solutions, to analyse a failure linked to a corrosion phenomenon, or to validate a material/coating pairing as part of an R&D project or before marketing.

What can be detected by an anti-corrosion coating analysis?

Thanks to this combination of analyses, it is possible to detect porosities, defects in thickness or composition, adhesion problems, or even chemical deterioration after exposure to a harsh environment.

In the FILAB laboratory, we offer a full range of techniques (SEM-EDX, XPS, FTIR, XRD, ICP, etc.) to support manufacturers in the characterisation, quality monitoring or failure analysis of their anti-corrosion coatings. We carry out standardised or customised tests, make practical recommendations and are involved at every stage, from design to continuous improvement.

The filab advantages
A highly qualified team
A highly qualified team
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
(Staves available on www.cofrac.com - Accreditation number: 1-1793)
A complete analytical park of 5,200m²
A complete analytical park of 5,200m²
Tailor-made support
Tailor-made support
Anaïs DECAUX Customer Support Manager
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