Provided is a measurement method for measuring a size of expansion of a surface treatment film occurred in a coated metal material that includes a metal base and the surface treatment film provided on the metal base. The measurement method includes the steps of disposing a water-containing material to be in contact with the expansion and an electrode to be in contact with the water-containing material, and electrically connecting between the electrode and the metal base with an external circuit; applying, with the external circuit, a constant voltage between the electrode and the metal base, as a cathode and an anode, respectively, and measuring a current value flowing therebetween; and calculating a size of the expansion, based on the current value measured and a correlation between the current value and the size of the expansion, the correlation being determined on an exploratory basis in advance.

Provided is a measurement method for measuring a size of expansion of a surface treatment film occurred in a coated metal material that includes a metal base and the surface treatment film provided on the metal base. The measurement method includes the steps of disposing a water-containing material to be in contact with the expansion and an electrode to be in contact with the water-containing material, and electrically connecting between the electrode and the metal base with an external circuit; applying, with the external circuit, a constant voltage between the electrode and the metal base, as a cathode and an anode, respectively, and measuring a current value flowing therebetween; and calculating a size of the expansion, based on the current value measured and a correlation between the current value and the size of the expansion, the correlation being determined on an exploratory basis in advance.

An apparatus comprising a heating unit and a support device is disclosed which apparatus is designed to place a controlled amount of heat into a very localized area of a substrate of interest. The substrate of interest here is intended to be a portion of a large structure [such as the portion of a ship]. The heating unit comprises a heat source and the necessary structure to closely control the heat applied to the substrate of interest. The support device supports the heating unit directly over the substrate of interest and permits the system to be secured to one surface of the substrate of interest in a removable and non-destructive manner. The support device has legs which have securing means on the bottom thereof to secure the system to one surface of the substrate of interest in a releasable and non-destructible way.

An apparatus comprising a heating unit and a support device is disclosed which apparatus is designed to place a controlled amount of heat into a very localized area of a substrate of interest. The substrate of interest here is intended to be a portion of a large structure [such as the portion of a ship]. The heating unit comprises a heat source and the necessary structure to closely control the heat applied to the substrate of interest. The support device supports the heating unit directly over the substrate of interest and permits the system to be secured to one surface of the substrate of interest in a removable and non-destructive manner. The support device has legs which have securing means on the bottom thereof to secure the system to one surface of the substrate of interest in a releasable and non-destructible way.

A corrosion resistance tester for a coated metal material including a surface treatment film on a metal substrate includes: a container placed on the surface treatment film, and having a bottom surface in contact with the surface treatment film, the container including a plurality of water-containing electrolyte material holders that open through the bottom surface; the water-containing electrolyte material contained in each of the water-containing electrolyte material holders of the container, and being in contact with an associated one of a plurality of separate measurement target portions of the surface treatment film; a plurality of electrodes being each in contact with the water-containing electrolyte material contained in an associated one of the water-containing electrolyte material holders; an external circuit connecting the electrodes together; and a conduction means configured to conduct electricity to the metal substrate through the electrodes and the external circuit.

A corrosion resistance tester for a coated metal material including a surface treatment film on a metal substrate includes: a container placed on the surface treatment film, and having a bottom surface in contact with the surface treatment film, the container including a plurality of water-containing electrolyte material holders that open through the bottom surface; the water-containing electrolyte material contained in each of the water-containing electrolyte material holders of the container, and being in contact with an associated one of a plurality of separate measurement target portions of the surface treatment film; a plurality of electrodes being each in contact with the water-containing electrolyte material contained in an associated one of the water-containing electrolyte material holders; an external circuit connecting the electrodes together; and a conduction means configured to conduct electricity to the metal substrate through the electrodes and the external circuit.

A surface corrosion monitoring system for a containment structure is disclosed. The surface corrosion monitoring system includes an electrode arrangement comprising an electrode electrically coupled with said structure, and a DC power supply arranged, in use, to deliver a predetermined voltage to the electrode which is sufficient to passivate and/or polarise or immunise an interior surface of said structure. The system also includes an electrode array comprising a plurality of spaced reference electrodes mounted on a framework, wherein each reference electrode is proximal to a localised interior surface of said structure and is arranged to measure a local potential indicative of current demand of the localised interior surface of the containment structure. A monitoring unit is also provided to monitor the local potentials measured by respective reference electrodes.

A surface corrosion monitoring system for a containment structure is disclosed. The surface corrosion monitoring system includes an electrode arrangement comprising an electrode electrically coupled with said structure, and a DC power supply arranged, in use, to deliver a predetermined voltage to the electrode which is sufficient to passivate and/or polarise or immunise an interior surface of said structure. The system also includes an electrode array comprising a plurality of spaced reference electrodes mounted on a framework, wherein each reference electrode is proximal to a localised interior surface of said structure and is arranged to measure a local potential indicative of current demand of the localised interior surface of the containment structure. A monitoring unit is also provided to monitor the local potentials measured by respective reference electrodes.

A sensor system is installed adjacent to the buried or submerged metallic pipelines using a plurality of sensors and transceivers. The sensor system monitors the pipeline for external corrosion control and recommends maintenance and repair at specific locations in the pipeline where external corrosion has occurred. The sensor system automatically receives periodic or continuous measurements through the plurality of sensors. The various sensors at various locations adjacent to the pipelines detect irregularities in the received sensor data at specific locations of the pipeline. The sensor data are stored in the system database and can analyzed to be used for monitoring and for transmitting repair alerts. The sensor system according to the present disclosure provides a reliable and an accurate assessment of the external corrosions of the pipelines. The sensor system further obviates the need of personnel walking along the pipelines to detect corrosion.

A sensor system is installed adjacent to the buried or submerged metallic pipelines using a plurality of sensors and transceivers. The sensor system monitors the pipeline for external corrosion control and recommends maintenance and repair at specific locations in the pipeline where external corrosion has occurred. The sensor system automatically receives periodic or continuous measurements through the plurality of sensors. The various sensors at various locations adjacent to the pipelines detect irregularities in the received sensor data at specific locations of the pipeline. The sensor data are stored in the system database and can analyzed to be used for monitoring and for transmitting repair alerts. The sensor system according to the present disclosure provides a reliable and an accurate assessment of the external corrosions of the pipelines. The sensor system further obviates the need of personnel walking along the pipelines to detect corrosion.