Cathodic Disbondment Testing

Element's cathodic disbondment testing evaluates how coating protection systems interact with sacrificial or impressed current cathodic protection systems under precisely controlled conditions. We assess coating adhesion performance under applied cathodic currents, identifying disbondment behavior and failure initiation at defect sites. Our testing capabilities span from rapid screening tests to extended duration evaluations lasting months. 

• Standard cathodic disbondment tests performed to ISO, ASTM, NACE, CSA, BSI, and AFNOR specifications 

• Elevated temperature cathodic disbondment testing (up to 204°C) 

• Varying voltage and test duration parameters 

• Assessment of coating adhesion after cathodic exposure 

• Holiday detection and mapping before testing, with post-test analysis to correlate failure zones and disbondment propagation 

Elevated temperature testing capabilities 
As offshore and pipeline industries move into higher-temperature environments, we've developed specialized testing capabilities to evaluate coating performance under these demanding conditions. Our elevated temperature cathodic disbondment testing simulates the exposure conditions for coatings on submerged high-temperature structures, providing critical data for your applications up to 204°C. 

• Testing at temperatures ranging from ambient to 204°C (400°F) 

• Test durations from 24 hours to 180+ days to simulate short- and long-term cathodic exposur 

• Simulation of submerged high-temperature environments typical of offshore Oil & Gas pipelines and structures, including cyclic thermal exposure where applicable 

• Assessment of combined temperature and cathodic effects 

• Specialized cells and instrumentation for sustained high-temperature cathodic disbondment testing, compliant with ISO, Norsok, and NACE elevated temperature protocols 

• Data correlation between temperature and disbondment rates 

We test a comprehensive range of protective coating systems across multiple industries, with particular expertise in pipeline coatings, offshore structural coatings, and high-temperature coating systems. Our capabilities extend to Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) coatings and various protective coating schemes designed to prevent corrosion in demanding environments. 

• Pipeline and pipeline coating systems 

• Offshore structural coatings 

• High-temperature coating systems for extreme environments 

• Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) and other protective coatings 

• Coating systems for submerged structures 

Our experts guide you in selecting the most appropriate test method based on coating type, environmental exposure conditions, and applicable international standards. We provide detailed analysis of disbondment mechanisms, comprehensive reporting on coating performance, and can incorporate cathodic disbondment testing into broader coating evaluation programs for holistic protection assessment.

• Tailored selection of voltage, temperature, exposure time, and defect size to simulate your project’s cathodic protection conditions 

• Expert guidance on most appropriate test standards and methods 

• Comprehensive reporting with detailed disbondment rate analysis, failure mode identification, and actionable recommendations for coating system optimization. 

• Integration with complementary testing for holistic coating evaluation 

Our team operates from Energy hubs across the world, providing global access to our expert capabilities. Find your nearest Energy hub on our Locations Page.