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Corrosion Engineering Services

Galvanic Corrosion Evaluations

A galvanic corrosion evaluation determines whether dissimilar metals are electrically connected through a shared electrolyte and whether that connection helps explain localized material loss.

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Service overview

What this service involves

A galvanic series can show the relative tendency of metals in a specific electrolyte, but it cannot diagnose a field failure on its own. The actual rate and location of attack also depend on electrical connection, electrolyte continuity, polarization, coating condition, geometry, and the cathode-to-anode area ratio.

Calicore documents the connected materials and exposure path, reviews isolation and bonding details, maps the damage pattern, and identifies measurements or sampling needed to test the galvanic-corrosion hypothesis.

Step by step

How the process works

The exact scope is matched to the project, but a typical assignment follows these steps.

  1. 01

    Identify the materials

    We document the actual alloys, coatings, fasteners, joints, bonds, and isolation components where that information is available.

  2. 02

    Trace the circuit

    The evaluation considers whether the materials are electrically connected and share a soil, water, or process-fluid path.

  3. 03

    Map the damage

    Damage location, exposed surface areas, coating defects, and transitions are compared with the suspected galvanic couple.

  4. 04

    Evaluate the hypothesis

    The findings explain whether galvanic action fits the evidence and what isolation review, monitoring, or further testing is appropriate.

Review criteria

What a useful galvanic evaluation must show

Two different metals do not automatically create damaging galvanic corrosion. The electrical connection, electrolyte, geometry, and damage pattern all matter.

What you receive

Typical project deliverables

  • Material and electrical-connection inventory
  • Exposure and area-ratio evaluation
  • Damage-pattern documentation
  • Isolation, monitoring, or follow-up testing recommendations

Common project needs

When this service is useful

  • Mixed-metal piping and fittings
  • Premature attack near transitions
  • Copper-to-steel or stainless-to-steel interfaces
  • Infrastructure with questionable isolation

Frequently asked

Galvanic Corrosion Evaluations questions

Do two different metals always cause galvanic corrosion?+

No. They must be electrically connected and share an electrolyte path. Even then, the severity depends on the environment, potential difference, polarization, geometry, coatings, and relative exposed areas.

Why does a small anode connected to a large cathode matter?+

Current can concentrate on the smaller anodic area, increasing its corrosion current density. This area effect is why a small exposed defect or less-noble fitting can deteriorate rapidly in some couples.

Technical guides

Learn more about galvanic corrosion evaluations.

Use these technical articles to understand the methods, limitations, evidence, and decisions behind the service.

Related services

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What to send us to begin

Send a short description of the work, any plans, specifications, or photographs you have, and tell us what you need the service to provide. Include a project location if it applies.

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