Most commonly used methods for corrosion investigation and testing

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Visual inspection is the most common and basic method in corrosion investigations. This method involves directly observing corrosion characteristics on the metal surface such as rust, cracks, bulges, pitting, and flaking, either with the naked eye or with the aid of tools like magnifying glasses or endoscopes. It offers the advantages of simple operation, low cost, and the ability to quickly assess the overall corrosion condition, making it suitable for preliminary screening in most scenarios. In practical engineering, visual inspection is often used as a preliminary step to other precise testing methods such as ultrasonic thickness measurement and non-destructive testing, to help identify the areas that require further inspection. For example, in the regular inspection of equipment such as pipelines, storage tanks, and steel structures, a visual inspection is carried out first to identify obvious defects, after which other techniques are employed for more in-depth analysis as needed. Furthermore, based on various industry question banks and practical experience, visual inspection is widely recognized as the preferred and fundamental method for corrosion investigation.