Corrosion and Chemistry Division

Corrosion and Chemistry Division - Laboratory

The Corrosion and Chemistry Division has a highly specialised corrosion and chemistry laboratory where tests are carried out on mortars, adhesives, paints, varnishes and manufactured coatings designed to protect metals and reinforced concrete against corrosion. The laboratory is accredited by PCA No. AB 1424.

At the request of our customers, we carry out corrosion tests, including accelerated corrosion tests, tests for the corrosion resistance of products, tests for the resistance of coatings to environmental conditions, as well as tests necessary for issuing a National Technical Assessment, a PSE Technical Recommendation or in accordance with the requirements of NORSOK (Coating procedure test CPT), PKP, etc.

In addition to laboratory tests, we also carry out field tests and provide coating inspector supervision, consultancy services for corrosion protection design, technical specifications or quality assurance programmes [PZJ].

We solve the most complex corrosion problems within the framework of expert opinions and technical opinions for engineering structures as well as buildings, tanks, equipment, columns, chimneys, etc.

For more than 20 years, we have been providing training in the proper design, supervision and execution of corrosion protection for steel and reinforced concrete structures.

Scope of activities:

technical advice on all corrosion problems and corrosion protection.
development of designs and specifications for corrosion protection and quality assurance programmes, technical warranty conditions, recommendations and industry-specific instructions
expert opinions (including forensic evaluations) and inspections of corrosion protection
provision of training courses on the corrosion protection of steel and concrete
testing of properties of corrosion protection materials (identification of paints by infrared spectroscopy, density, viscosity, solid content, active ingredient content, phase separation, occurrence of foreign substances, consistency, deposition)
laboratory testing of anti-corrosion coatings (chemical and water resistance, water vapour and CO₂ permeability, water penetration, crack bridging by coatings on concrete) and using: scanning microscope with EDS attachment, field microscope, metallographic microscope, spectrophotometer, variable temperature chamber, UV chamber and salt chamber.
accelerated ageing tests of anti-corrosion coatings in salt, UV, humidity and variable temperature chambers (also variable cycles)
evaluation of steel and concrete surfaces prior to application of coatings (determination of steel preparation, degree of cleaning, level of ionic impurities, degree of dustiness, degree of greasiness, roughness proﬁle, chloride content of concrete, degree of carbonation of concrete, degree of moisture content of concrete).
evaluation of anti-corrosive coatings after application on structural components (degree of care, thickness, adhesion, tightness, gloss, colour, hardness)
testing of coatings on structural components (gloss of painted coatings, colour, degree of rusting, thickness, adhesion, degree of blistering, degree of cracking, degree of peeling, presence of ionic impurities, chemical composition and morphology of samples using a scanning microscope with EDS attachment).

Liquid paint tests

In the field of liquid paint and varnish testing, we carry out, among other things:

density testing using the pycnometer method according to PN-EN ISO 2811-1
density testing using the immersion probe method according to PN-EN ISO 2811-2
viscosity determination test by measuring the flow time using flow cups according to PN-EN ISO 2431
testing the determination of the content of non-volatile substances according to PN-EN ISO 3251
testing of the appearance of the paint: checking for skinning, phase separation, presence of foreign matter, consistency, sedimentation according to PN-EN ISO 1513, PN-EN ISO 12944-7
surface drying time test according to PN-EN ISO 9117-1, PN-EN ISO 9117-3
visual comparison of paint colour according to PN-EN ISO 3668
FTIR analysis according to PN-EN 1767

Corrosion testing of coatings for metal substrates

Accelerated corrosion testing of coatings applied to metal substrates

In terms of accelerated corrosion testing, we perform:

coating tests in a salt chamber, i.e. in atomised brine – NSS test according to PN-EN ISO 9227
testing of coatings in a UV chamber – method of exposure to laboratory light sources, i.e. UV fluorescent lamps according to PN-EN ISO 16474-3
tests of coatings in a humidity chamber, i.e. determination of resistance to moisture by condensation (one-sided exposure) according to PN-EN ISO 6270-1
coating tests in the variable temperature chamber according PN-EN ISO 1944-6 Annex B
tests for resistance to cyclic corrosive conditions according to PN-EN ISO 12944-6:2018 Annex B
test for determination of resistance to liquids – method involving immersion in liquids other than water according to PN-EN ISO 2812-1
resistance to liquid testing using the immersion method according to PN-EN ISO 2812-2
cathodic disbonding test according to PN-EN ISO 15711:2006, method A
corrosion resistance testing of steel structures according to PN-EN ISO 12944-6:2018-03 /Ap1
corrosion resistance testing of offshore steel structures and similar structures PN-EN ISO 12944-9/Annex B

Mechanical testing of coatings applied on metal substrates

In the field of mechanical testing of coatings, we perform, among other things:

peel strength test of the coating i.e. peel test for adhesion assessment according to PN-EN ISO 4624
peel strength test of the coating by peel method according to PN-EN ISO 16276-1
testing the peel strength of the coating by the notch grid method and the X-shaped notch method according to PN-EN ISO 16276-2
coating thickness testing according to PN-EN ISO 2808
testing the thickness of heat sprayed coatings according to PN-EN ISO 2063-1, PN-EN ISO 2063-2
testing the hardness of coatings by the pencil method according to PN-EN ISO 15184
bending test (taper pin) according to PN-EN ISO 6860
impact resistance testing as a result of sudden deformation – falling weight test (indenter with large surface area) according to PN-EN ISO 6272-1
damage resistance testing according to PN-EN ISO 12137
abrasion resistance testing – method with discs covered with abrasive paper and rotating test specimen according to PN-EN ISO 7784
compressibility testing according to PN-EN ISO 1520

Other coating tests and evaluation of coatings applied on metal substrates

Other coating studies include:

testing of gloss values at 20 degrees, 60 degrees and 85 degrees according to PN-EN ISO 2813
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test of painted and unpainted metal samples according to PN-EN ISO 16773-1
assessment of the damage to coatings by determining the amount and extent of damage and the intensity of uniform changes in appearance:
- coating damage assessment according to PN-EN ISO 4628-1
- degree of blistering assessment according to PN-EN ISO 4628- 2
- degree of rusting assessment according to PN-EN ISO 4628- 3
- degree of cracking assessment according to PN-EN ISO 4628- 4
- degree of peeling assessment according to PN-EN ISO 4628- 5
- degree of chalking by the tape method assessment according to PN-EN ISO 4628- 6
- assessment of the degree of detachment and corrosion around a crack or another artificial damage according to EN ISO 4628-8
porosity of dry coatings assessment according to PN-EN ISO 29601
measurement and acceptance criteria for dry film thicknesses on rough surfaces according to ISO 19840
coating type determination – FTIR analysis according to PN-EN 1767
determination of the resistance to cathodic dehydration of coatings exposed in seawater according to PN-EN ISO 15711
morphology of the anticorrosion system including determination of the size of anticorrosive pigments, analysis by scanning microscopy according to PN-EN ISO 2808, method 6A
determination of the presence of chromium VI and lead compounds using a scanning microscope – a standard non-method
colour measurement according to PN-EN 7724-2, PN-EN 7724-3

Testing of metal surfaces prior to coating application

In terms of testing the surface of metals prior to the application of coatings, we perform, among other things:

a test consisting of a visual assessment of the cleanliness of the surface – determination of the degree of corrosion and the degree of preparation of unprotected steel substrates; and
steel substrates after:

total removal of previously applied coatings according to PN-EN ISO 8501- 1
local removal of the coatings according to PN-EN ISO 8501-2
determination of the degree of preparation of welds, sharp edges and other areas with surface defects according to PN-EN ISO 8501-3

determination of metal wall thickness by ultrasonic method according to PN-EN ISO 2808
assessment of the presence of grease impurities according to ASTM F222, PN-70/H-97052
- tests to assess surface cleanliness:
- extraction of water-soluble impurities for analysis – Bresle method according to PN-EN ISO 8502-6
- assessment of dust residues on steel surfaces prepared for painting – adhesive tape method according to PN-EN ISO 8502-3
- assessment of the probability of condensation before paint application according to PN-EN ISO 8502-4
- field conductivity method for the determination of water-soluble salts according to PN-EN ISO 8502-9
a test to determine the surface roughness characteristics of steel substrates after blasting:
- grading method for the steel surface profile after blasting – method using a standard in accordance with PN-EN ISO 8503-2
- calibration method for ISO surface profile standards for the determination of surface profile – method using a contact instrument according to PN-EN ISO 8503-4

If you are interested in carrying out tests on metal and concrete-related products – other than those mentioned above – then please contact us – we will do our best to meet your expectations.

Testing of coatings, water-repellent impregnants and mortars applied on concrete substrates

Testing of water-repellent coatings and impregnants

In the field of testing products for the protection of concrete surfaces, we perform, among other things:

a test to assess the condition of the protective coating after a frost resistance test [200 freeze-thaw cycles in air and defrost cycles in water, at the temperature of: -18±2°C / +18±2°C] according to IBDiM Procedure No. PB/TM-1/13
drying test for water-repellent impregnation according to PN-EN 13579
absorption and alkali resistance test with water-repellent impregnation according to PN-EN 13580
heat compatibility test after:
- cyclic storm effect (thermal shock) according to PN-EN13687-2
- thermal cycling without de-icing salt according to PN-EN 13687-3
capillary absorption test – water permeability according to PN-EN1062-3
pull-off test – measurement of adhesion by peeling in accordance with PN-EN 1542
carbon dioxide permeability test according to 1062
testing the properties of water vapour permeation – a method using a vessel according to PN-EN ISO 7783
water absorption limitation test according to IBDiM Procedure No. PB-TM-X5
compressibility testing according to PN-EN 1338
abrasion testing according to PN-EN 1436
testing of crack covering properties – crack bridging according to PN-EN 1062-7
testing of anti-graffiti coatings according to D6578M-13
abrasion resistance test using Taber abrasion device according to PN-EN ISO 5470-1
testing of chemical resistance to liquids according to PN-EN ISO 2812- 1

Testing of mortars and concrete

bending and compressive strength testing of mortar according to PN-EN 1015-11
compressive strength testing of repair mortar according to PN-EN 12190
contraction and elongation testing according to PN-EN 12617-4
capillary absorption testing according to PN-EN 13057
frost resistance testing of construction mortars according to the IBDiM test procedure PB/TM-1/12
testing the thickness of the concrete cover with a profometer according to IBDiM recommendations
concrete moisture testing according to ASTM D4263 - 83