SwRI: Corrosion Testing and Research Facilities

Applied corrosion research and testing is a primary focus of the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) materials laboratories environmental areas. The laboratories also address materials and electrochemistry needs associated with fuel cells and hydrogen storage. The laboratories have more than 10,000 sq. ft. of space with a high bay area and two separate facilities to handle hazardous chemicals and gases.

Corrosion Laboratory Capabilities

The laboratories capabilities also include:

• Facilities for conducting cyclic atmospheric corrosion tests, studying microbiologically influenced corrosion

• Facilities for investigating surface phenomena using advanced equipment such as Scanning Kelvin Probe, Raman spectrometer and capillary electrophoresis

• The laboratories have a history of constructing and operating unique test systems customized for specific applications, such as:

  • Nuclear reactor pressure vessel

  • Steam generators

  • Oil and gas tubular coupling stock

  • Pipeline microbiologically influenced corrosion

  • High-pressure, hazardous gas facility

  • Testing facility for fuel cell stacks under controlled humidity conditions

  • Constant and variable load test frames for long-term stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue testing

• SwRI also has ready access to extensive solution and surface analytical facilities elsewhere.

Specialized Corrosion Facilities

Specialized facilities at SwRI house a number of high-pressure, high-temperature autoclaves with the ability to monitor electrochemical conditions. Autoclave capabilities include stirring and pressure ratings up to 20,000 psi at 650 °F. There are several constant and cyclic loading test frames as well as slow strain rate (SSR) systems for stress corrosion cracking studies. The SSR systems include capabilities for testing at ambient temperature and pressure, and in high-pressure, high-temperature environments. The rated pressure and temperature of the autoclave vessels employed for SSR work are 2,000 psi and 450 °F, respectively. A new facility is available to conduct full-scale testing in hazardous conditions including H₂S and high-pressure high-temperature environments.

Accelerated atmospheric corrosion testing		Specialized high pressure test facilities

For more information about corrosion testing and research facilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Steve Clay at sclay@swri.org (210) 522-2348, or Marta Jakab, Ph.D., at mjakab@swri.org or (210) 522-5240.