Technical Approach

The usefulness of current tests for predicting corrosion is limited to operational conditions where the empirical relationships used to develop the tests are applicable. To overcome this issue, Luna Innovations, along with its team of collaborators—including the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Army Research Laboratory, Army Aviation and Missile Command, Boeing, the University of Virginia, and Alcoa—will employ a multifaceted fundamental approach to develop the next generation of accelerated corrosion test methods. Researchers will measure the evolution of electrolyte composition and corrosion morphology in the lab and at outdoor sites to determine relevant solution composition as well as deficiencies in current test methods. By systematically varying environmental and mechanical inputs, specific regimes that govern corrosion processes and different corrosion failure modes will be identified. Bayesian techniques will be used to integrate the data sets and calculate test chamber conditions where realistic failure modes (or combinations of failure modes) will result. This project will deliver a set of test coupon configurations, exposure regimes, and analysis tools to evaluate the performance of materials and structures in corrosive environments. These corrosion test methods and tools will facilitate the acceptance of new technologies into service use.