Fields of Expertise
The combination of different fields of expertise and many years of experience enables us to provide our clients with the best possible independent advice.
The topics of corrosion and corrosion protection cover various areas. You get an insight into very different branches of industry. That’s what makes the field so exciting and is the addictive factor for me.
The combination of our specialist backgrounds in chemistry, chemical engineering, process engineering and mechanical and structural engineering, coupled with our more than 40 years of professional experience in the field of corrosion and corrosion protection, enables us to cover a wide range of disciplines. This is what sets us apart at CorroConcept. We have summarized details on the individual specialist areas in which we offer failure analysis, corrosion testing and consulting here.
Organic coatings
As an independent partner, we offer comprehensive expertise in the field of corrosion protection of steel structures with coatings – from the testing and evaluation of coating systems in accordance with DIN EN ISO 12944 and ZTV-ING Part 4-3 to detailed investigations in accordance with RI-ERH-KOR Annex A and laboratory tests and investigations of cases of damage. In summary, we support you in the following areas:
- Testing and evaluation of coatings in steel construction, including in accordance with DIN EN ISO 12944 Parts 1 to 9 and ZTV-ING Part 4-3 as an independent expert on site at the structure or in the laboratory
- Independent assessments in accordance with the “Guidelines for the maintenance of corrosion protection of steel structures” (RI-ERH-KOR) Appendix A on engineering structures where, for example, a need for action regarding corrosion protection has been identified in the course of routine testing in accordance with DIN 1076
- Testing and evaluation of coatings in hydraulic steel structures according to the “Additional Technical Conditions of Contract – Hydraulic Engineering for Corrosion Protection in Hydraulic Steel Structures” (ZTV-W LB 218)
- Laboratory tests to evaluate coating systems on steel structures and their connecting elements in drywall construction in accordance with DIN 18219
- Examination and advice on surface preparation and pre-treatment, e.g. in accordance with DIN EN ISO 12944-4, ISO 8501, ISO 8502, ISO 8503 and ISO 8504
Metallic coatings
We have many years of experience in the field of metallic coatings, both in terms of processes and products. Our consulting services in this field include the topics of coating structure, coating formation, coating thickness, narrowing down the causes of galvanizing defects and the assessment of storage, transport and application conditions (risk of white rust and red rust formation). Our focus in this area is on metrological testing, analysis, independent assessment and evaluation of components with:
- Hot-dip galvanizing / batch galvanizing in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1461 and DASt guideline 022
- Spray galvanizing in accordance with DIN EN ISO 2063-1/2
- Duplex systems (metallic and organic coating)
- Continuous hot-dip galvanizing (strip galvanizing e.g. with zinc (Z), zinc-aluminium (ZA) or zinc-magnesium (ZM) in accordance with DIN EN 10346, if necessary with coil coating), e.g. in accordance with DIN 55634
- as well as appropriate surface treatment
Stainless Steels
Are you planning a construction project in the field of infrastructure, plant engineering in the chemical, food, beverage or pharmaceutical industry and want to use stainless steels for it? If so, we will be happy to support you with advice or investigations to help you select the right material. We are also available as independent experts in the event of failure and support you with our expertise and professional investigations. Here is an overview of our areas of expertise:
- Corrosion behavior and areas of application of various stainless steels (material selection)
- Quality testing of stainless steels for conformity with DIN EN 10088 and metallographic characterization of the microstructure in etched cross-section
- Evaluation of the conditions of use for certain stainless steels in drinking water distribution and storage in accordance with DIN EN 12502-4
- Independent assessment and failure processing / analysis of technical systems and equipment, pipelines, containers, e.g. in the food and beverage industry with a view to pitting corrosion caused by chlorides, crevice corrosion, intergranular corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and much more.
Plumbing and Heating Systems
Our know-how in the field of sanitary /plumbing and heating installations is based on many years of industry-related research activities and the experience we have gained from processing numerous cases of failures either directly or as a subcontractor for publicly appointed and sworn experts. Based on this, we offer you
- Testing the corrosion resistance of copper materials on a laboratory scale, e.g. testing dezincification resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance
- Investigation of corrosion damage in sanitary and heating installations
- Assessment of the conformity of materials in contact with drinking water with the specifications of the Federal Environment Agency’s metal assessment basis
- Metallographic examination and assessment of the microstructure of copper-zinc alloys (including conventional lead-containing brasses, lead-free dezincification-resistant brasses and special brasses), e.g. with regard to phase distribution and heat treatment condition
- Testing the long-term corrosion behavior of materials in contact with drinking water in test facilities based on DIN EN 15664-1, also in contact with heated drinking water
Industrial Cooling Circuits
There is a high risk of corrosion in industrial cooling circuits due to different material combinations (mixed installation), fluctuating water quality and varying operating conditions. Several processes are often supplied with one cooling circuit. Corrosion damage in these cooling circuits leads to unplanned restrictions or interruptions to ongoing production processes. By analyzing and evaluating your systems in terms of corrosion technology and specifically searching for the causes of corrosion, we can support you with professional recommendations for the safe, trouble-free operation of your systems. Our work is based on a wide range of standards and regulations.
- Corrosion analysis of the cooling circuit
- Development of recommendations for cooling water requirements and inhibitor additions, taking into account the materials and material combinations used
- Refurbishment recommendations
- e.g. according to VDI / BTGA guideline 6044:2023-04 and DIN EN 14868
- Analysis of the cooling water and professional assessment or recommendation for action
- Recommendation for cooling water treatment
- Routine monitoring of the cooling water quality
- Metallographic investigation
- Determination of the depth and type of corrosive attack on corroded piping components or heat exchangers from the circuits
- Analysis of deposits/fouling
- Analysis of filter residues
Temporary Corrosion Protection
Based on many years of experience in this field, we offer you:
- Creation of customized concepts for the temporary corrosion protection of your products during:
- Shipping: overseas, airplane, truck / rail incl. temporary storage, e.g. in ports,
- Interim storage in the production process (before, during, after production until delivery) or
- Long-term storage, e.g. of spare parts
- Consideration of the different climatic conditions on your transport route and during production and storage
- Selection of the special process from the following basic principles:
- VCI corrosion protection: VCI materials such as VCI films, VCI papers or VCI dispensers in outer packaging,
- Desiccant packaging,
- Lubrication / greasing with special anti-corrosion oils / greases or with processing media such as cooling lubricants
- Testing of the individually adapted and proposed solutions both in standardized laboratory climate tests (e.g. in a condensation water climate) and by means of sample shipment / storage of parts accompanied by measurement technology in cooperation with the manufacturers of the various corrosion protection agents (VCI materials, desiccants, corrosion protection oils/greases)
- Competent advice also on important accompanying environmental and occupational safety issues
Concrete / Reinforced Concrete / Carbon concrete
We offer you comprehensive advice on all aspects of corrosion and corrosion protection of concrete, reinforced concrete and carbon concrete. The basis for this includes the “Technical Rules for the Maintenance of Concrete Structures (TR Instandhaltung)” of the DIBt and the DAfStB guideline “Protection and Repair of Concrete Structures”. Thanks to a three-year research project, we have special expertise in possible bimetallic corrosion / contact corrosion on built-in parts, anchors and old reinforcement in carbon concrete.
