--- type: "WebPage" title: "Study of corrosion speed (LSV) on laboratory materials" description: "You would like to carry out a study of the corrosion rate of your materials What is the corrosion rate? Corrosion rate is a key indicator of how quickly a material (generally a metal) degrades under the effect of its environment. It..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/electrochemical-characterization/study-corrosion-speed/" tags: ["EN", "pll_685bf922e18a7", "Anaïs DECAUX"] timestamp: "2025-12-31T08:32:27Z" published: "2025-06-25T13:50:59Z" language: "en" author: "Laure Durieux" --- # Study of corrosion speed (LSV) on laboratory materials ## You would like to carry out a study of the corrosion rate of your materials ### What is the corrosion rate? **[Corrosion](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/laboratory-expertise-and-analysis-of-corrosion.md) rate** is a key indicator of how **quickly a material** **(generally a metal)** degrades under the effect of its environment. It is usually expressed**in millimetres per year (mm/year)** or in **loss of mass per unit area and time (g/m²/day, for example)**. [Electrochemical characterization](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/electrochemical-characterisation-analysis-laboratory/) and the study of the corrosion rate can be applied to many industrial sectors, from [aeronautics](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-aeronautics-aerospace.md) to [cosmetics](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-cosmetics.md), including [energy](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-nuclear-energy.md) and [medical devices](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-medical-devices.md). ## The FILAB laboratory can help you study the corrosion rate of your materials In many industrial sectors, materials are subjected to aggressive environments: humidity, chemical agents, extreme temperatures, salt spray, mechanical stress, etc. Corrosion is not always immediately visible, but its consequences can be critical: loss of performance, part failure, contamination, production stoppages or regulatory non-compliance. By studying the rate of corrosion, we can **assess a material’s performance in a given environment and predict its lifespan**. ## Why choose FILAB for the study of the corrosion rate ? FILAB, a laboratory made up of experts in [metallurgy and steelmaking](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-metallurgy-steelmaking-analysis.md) analysis, provides its knowledge and expertise to carry out the study of the corrosion rate and electrochemical characterization of your metal parts. ## our technical resources for studying corrosion rates [Salt spray](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-salt-spray-corrosion-tests.md) [SEM-EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md) [Roughness measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/surface-roughness-analysis.md) [Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/electrochemical-characterisation-analysis-laboratory/impedance-measurement/) [ICP](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md), [GC-MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-gcms.md), [FTIR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-ftir-spectroscopy.md) ### Why perform a study of the corrosion rate ? study of the corrosion rate ## The study of corrosion speed is particularly relevant for : Evaluate the [corrosion resistance](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-deposit-contamination/corrosion-resistance-testing.md) of a [metal](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-metals.md) or an [alloy](https://filab.fr/en/analysis-of-metallic-alloys-in-the-laboratory.md) Test the effectiveness of an anticorrosive coating or a paint Characterize passive films on metal [surfaces](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization.md) Control the degradation of electrolytes, [batteries](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/analysis-characterization-battery-materials.md) or sensors Study diffusive, capacitive or resistive behaviors in a system Encourage innovation and compliance Meet standards requirements (ISO, ASTM, specific standards for the aeronautical, automotive and medical sectors, etc.) ## 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) 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 ...) [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 ## FAQ What types of materials are suitable for corrosion rate studies? We work on all types of metallic or coated materials: - Steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminium, titanium, etc. - Specific alloys (e.g. aerospace, medical) - Protective coatings (paint, surface treatment, anodising, etc.) Can we simulate a specific environment (acid, saline, hot, etc.)? Yes, we adapt the test conditions to suit your specifications or the environment in which they are actually used: - Temperature, humidity, pH, ion concentration, presence of chlorides, etc. - Possibility of accelerated testing (ageing, thermal cycles, controlled atmospheres) Can you analyse the surface after corrosion? Yes, our laboratory is equipped to characterise surface alterations: - SEM-FEG coupled with EDX: observation of localised attacks, pitting, cracks, and elemental analysis of deposits or oxides - Profilometry or roughness measurement: to quantify changes in roughness or loss of thickness - Optical microscopy: for visual mapping of damaged areas Do you also offer comparative studies? Exactly. We can compare : - Several alloys in the same environment - A material with and without surface treatment - Different exposure conditions (pH, temperature, concentration, etc.) The aim is to help you make an objective technical choice or validate a formulation, coating or design. Is it possible to map corrosion on a complex part? Yes, thanks to our surface instrumentation, we can : - Produce post-exposure thickness or roughness maps - Use SEM coupled with EDX to visualise the distribution of etching or deposits - Combine these data with spot electrochemical measurements on targeted areas