Water industry
The French Corrosion Institute supports drinking water network operators, water treatment industry stakeholders, and manufacturers of hydraulic equipment in the qualification of their materials and the prevention of corrosion-related risks. Our laboratories assess the compatibility of metals, alloys, polymers, and coatings in contact with drinking water, chlorinated, fluorinated, or disinfected water, as well as process water and wastewater—to ensure the durability of installations, regulatory compliance, and the health safety of users.
Context
The production, treatment, and distribution of water continuously subject materials to a wide range of environments: drinking water, wastewater, treated or disinfected water, and domestic hot water. Corrosion affecting distribution networks, treatment equipment, and hydraulic structures represents a major public health, economic, and environmental challenge. The French Corrosion Institute supports stakeholders in the water cycle in assessing material durability, qualifying protection systems, and preventing contamination risks related to corrosion.
Our missions
- Assess the compatibility and durability of materials in contact with drinking water, industrial water, and effluents.
- Identify corrosion mechanisms specific to treated aqueous environments (chlorinated, fluorinated, disinfected).
- Support the qualification of materials and coatings used in distribution networks and treatment equipment.
- Contribute to preventing health risks related to corrosion (metal release, biofilm formation).
Our services
- Corrosion testing by immersion in simulated or real aqueous environments
- Material/fluid compatibility testing: metals, alloys, polymers, coatings
- Electrochemical testing to characterize behavior in aqueous environments
- Evaluation of the performance of internal coatings in pipelines and storage tanks
- Failure analysis on hydraulic equipment
- Consulting on material selection for drinking water and industrial water applications
- Participation in collaborative R&D projects
Activities of the MRC “Corrosion in brines and process water”
The French Corrosion Institute coordinates, within the ARCOR association, cost-shared projects bringing together major stakeholders in the water treatment industry: Alleima, Industeel (ArcelorMittal), Aperam, Outokumpu Stainless AB, EDF, SIAAP, and Veolia Environnement.
This MRC aims to improve understanding and prediction of alloy behavior in aggressive aqueous environments, particularly those rich in chlorides. It relies on a combination of existing data analysis and long-term testing to provide reliable material selection tools, reducing uncertainties and costs in industrial water-related applications.
Would you like to learn more about our services?
Contact us : brest@institut-corrosion.fr