Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Testing

Element's pitting and crevice corrosion testing services ensure material durability and compliance while saving you time and costs. Prevent corrosion before it starts with our advanced methods. We provide testing across various products and industries including Energy, Aerospace, Infrastructure, Environmental, and Industrials.

I'm trying to...

What is Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Testing at Element?

Pitting and crevice corrosion are both forms of localized corrosion. Pitting corrosion appears as small, isolated holes on material surfaces, typically resulting from protective layer breakdowns in aggressive environments like chloride solutions. Crevice corrosion occurs in confined spaces where surfaces meet, such as under gaskets or joints, due to oxygen concentration differences. While pitting affects localized surface areas, crevice corrosion starts in hidden areas, making early detection particularly challenging. At Element, we provide comprehensive, precise testing following ASTM G48, G78, and G150 standards, helping you prevent costly failures from pitting or crevice corrosion before they start.

Element testing specialist examining precision measurement equipment for materials analysis

What Can Element Offer You For Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Testing?

Key Tests Offered

Our comprehensive suite of pitting and crevice corrosion tests provides you with critical data about your materials' performance in corrosive conditions. We conduct precise evaluations to determine Critical Pitting Temperature (CPT) and Critical Crevice Temperature (CCT), giving you actionable insights into material thresholds and durability expectations under specific environmental stresses.

ASTM G48 A, C, and E for pitting corrosion testing

ASTM G48 B, D, and F for crevice corrosion testing

ASTM G78 crevice corrosion testing with castellated washers

ASTM G150 electrochemical testing protocols

Critical temperature determination for material selection

Materials We Test

Element thoroughly tests a wide range of materials for pitting and crevice corrosion susceptibility, including various grades of stainless steel and duplex stainless steels. Our specialized testing protocols are tailored to evaluate materials used in challenging environments where localized corrosion presents significant risks, such as oil and gas pipelines, HVAC systems, and industrial equipment exposed to corrosive environments.

Stainless steel alloys across various grades

Duplex stainless steels

Materials used in oil and gas applications

HVAC system components and materials

Industrial equipment in corrosive environments

Methods And Solutions Offered

With Element's expertise and advanced testing methods, customers can identify and address pitting and crevice corrosion vulnerabilities before they escalate.

Top test methods include:

Pitting corrosion testing to ASTM G48 A, C and E test methods. This test exposes materials to aggressive ferrite chloride solutions at controlled temperatures. We offer a specialized variation, the C test, for duplex stainless steels.
Crevice corrosion testing to ASTM G48 B, D and F and ASTM G78 test methods. The specialized G78 test method uses castellated washers with 20 contact points each to simulate real-world conditions where crevice corrosion typically develops.
To provide a more comprehensive evaluation of your materials' integrity, Element offers extensive expertise in additional corrosion testing methods, including electrochemical corrosion testing.

Our pitting and crevice corrosion testing specifications include:

6% ferric chloride solution exposure testing
Controlled temperature testing environments up to 60°C
Extended duration testing above and beyond the industry standard of 24 hours: for greater reliability, we test for 30 -72 hours depending on the test method
Seawater exposure testing for marine applications

Cutting-Edge Equipment We Use

Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with advanced technology that enables precise control of testing parameters and detailed analysis of corrosion patterns. Element's electron scanning microscopy capabilities allow for high-resolution examination of pitting and crevice damage, providing you with comprehensive insights into corrosion mechanisms and material performance under challenging conditions.

Temperature-controlled testing chambers

Electron Scanning Microscopy (ESM) for detailed analysis

Precision measurement instruments for corrosion evaluation

Specialized crevice formers and castellated washers (MCAs)

Advanced imaging systems for documenting corrosion patterns

Which Labs Offer This Service

Our team operates from materials testing hubs across the world, providing global access to our expert capabilities. See all our labs on our Locations Page.

Standards we test to and materials we test

These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!

ASTM G48 A, C and E (pitting corrosion)
ASTM G48 B, D and F (crevice corrosion)
ASTM G78 (crevice corrosion with castellated washers)
ASTM G150
ASTM A923 method C (for duplex stainless steels)

Your Challenges, Our Solutions

Hidden corrosion detected early

Our advanced testing methods identify crevice corrosion vulnerabilities in concealed areas before significant damage occurs. Using ASTM standard tests and electron scanning microscopy, we provide early detection of hidden threats, protecting your assets from unexpected failures.

Material durability verified confidently

Element's comprehensive testing determines exact Critical Pitting and Critical Crevice Temperatures for your materials, giving you precise performance thresholds. This data enables confident material selection and design decisions, extending product life and reducing maintenance costs.

Standards compliance made simple

Navigate complex industry requirements with our ASTM G48, G78, and G150 standardized testing protocols. Element's strict adherence to testing specifications ensures your materials meet all regulatory and industry standards, eliminating compliance concerns.

Testing efficiency maximized

Our first-time-right testing approach and global laboratory network streamline your evaluation process. With Element's expertise, you avoid costly retesting and project delays, keeping your development and production schedules on track.

Why Choose Element

Element materials testing engineer operating precision measurement equipment for quality analysis

Accurate Detection

Determine Critical Pitting Temperature (CPT) and Critical Crevice Temperature (CCT) with precision using Element's advanced testing methods.

Advanced Analysis

Utilize Electron Scanning Microscopy, available at Element's facilities, for detailed evaluation of corrosion patterns.

Cost Efficiency

Avoid costly delays and ensure timely project completion with Element's first-time-right results.

Expert Guidance

Benefit from Element’s extensive industry knowledge to select the most suitable test methods for your materials.

72
hour

test durations for greater accuracy

60°C
maximum

typical test temperature capability

20+
contact points

on each castellated washer

Element materials scientist conducting precision testing with advanced laboratory instrumentation

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between pitting and crevice corrosion?

Pitting and crevice corrosion are both forms of localized corrosion but occur under different conditions and affect materials in distinct ways:

Pitting Corrosion: This occurs as small, isolated holes or pits on a material's surface. It is difficult to predict and often appears suddenly, affecting only localized areas while the majority of the surface remains unaffected. Pitting typically results from breakdowns in the passive protective layer on metals like stainless steel due to exposure to aggressive environments, such as chloride-containing solutions.

Crevice Corrosion: This occurs in confined spaces where two surfaces meet, such as under gaskets, seals, washers, or within tight joints. It arises due to differences in the oxygen concentration within the crevice compared to the surrounding area, leading to an aggressive localized attack. Crevice corrosion is particularly insidious because it starts in hidden areas, making early detection challenging.

Comprehensive Corrosion Evaluation Services

Enhance your material integrity assessment with Element's full spectrum of complementary corrosion testing capabilities. This integrated approach simplifies your testing process while providing a more complete understanding of your material’s potential vulnerabilities. Combine your pitting and crevice corrosion testing with a variety of other techniques including: