Corrosion Science and Engineering

Examples of Pipeline Coating Failures

Since its founding more than a half century ago, SwRI has established and maintained a continuing technology program for assisting the pipeline industry.

SwRI provides independent, third-party, pipeline integrity assessment services that can be tailored to specific needs, operating conditions, defects, and possible accident scenarios.

Using up-to-date instrumentation and extensive test facilities, experienced SwRI corrosion engineers and scientists provide a responsive resource to resolve corrosion-related problems for the pipeline industry.

Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) is a commonly used method for in-line detection and characterization of pipeline corrosion.

Corrosion may occur beneath disbonded coatings even with application of cathodic protection.

Today's pipeline operators recognize the increasing need to maintain the integrity, responsiveness, and efficiency of their system while demonstrating "as low as reasonably achievable" financial and operational risk levels.

As an international leader in nondestructive evaluation technologies, SwRI has developed improved methods for detection and measurement of corrosion and characterization of third-party (mechanical) damage.

SwRI engineers assist with identifying and monitoring problem areas, recommending the most cost-effective mitigation or repair methods.

As the nation's pipeline infrastructure ages, performance degradation and structural safety are of increasing concern.