---
type: "WebPage"
title: "Anticorrosive coating analysis in the laboratory"
description: "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..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/electrochemical-characterization/anticorrosive-coating-analysis/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_6859102c8c6c0"]
timestamp: "2025-12-31T08:32:27Z"
published: "2025-06-23T09:26:16Z"
language: "en"
author: "Laure Durieux"
---

# Anticorrosive coating analysis in the laboratory

The [FILAB](https://filab.fr/en/) laboratory offers you its expertise in corrosion expertise to analyze, diagnose and prevent degradation phenomena on your [metal materials](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-expertise-metallic-material/). Thanks to our [advanced equipment](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md) 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](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/laboratory-expertise-and-analysis-of-corrosion.md)**, 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](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/expertise-corrosion-occurrence.md) 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](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md) 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

##

[Coating thickness measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/surface-coating-thickness-measurement.md)

 
 

Check for uniformity and [adhesion](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/laboratory-adhesion-analysis.md) (pull-out test)

Analysis of the [chemical composition](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-deformulation-analysis-reverse-engineering.md) of protective layers

[Study of premature corrosion](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/halogen-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-of-corrosion-precursors.md)

Detection of application or formulation defects

Development of new surface treatments

[Accelerated ageing test](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/filab-accelerated-ageing-test-laboratory/)

[Comparative chemical analysis](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy/energy-comparative-chemical-analysis-of-metal-parts.md) 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](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md): high resolution visualization of the surface, local elemental analysis of the layers 

[FTIR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-ftir-spectroscopy.md): identification of functional groups in organic coatings (resins, varnishes, paints)

[XPS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-xps-esca.md): analysis of [surface layers](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/multi-layer-analysis-of-material-surfaces-in-the-laboratory.md), chemical characterization and oxidation of elements

[ICP-AES / ICP-MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md) : precise quantification of metal elements in the coating

[MO](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-of-analysis-and-observation-by-optical-microscope-mo.md): observation of coating layers, mechanical or optical measurement of thickness

### Further information

## our electrochemical analysis services

[Measurement of the free potential (OCV)](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/electrochemical-characterisation-analysis-laboratory/free-potential-measurement-ocv/) to evaluate the spontaneous electrochemical behavior of a metal in a given medium (water)

[Study of galvanic coupling](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/electrochemical-characterisation-analysis-laboratory/galvanic-coupling-testing/) 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](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/electrochemical-characterisation-analysis-laboratory/impedance-measurement/) to analyse the properties of the interfaces between a material and its electrochemical environment

[Determination of the corrosion rate (LSV)](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/electrochemical-characterisation-analysis-laboratory/study-corrosion-speed/) 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](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/electrochemical-characterisation-analysis-laboratory/potensiostat-analysis/)

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.