A final prototype setup constructed by UCSB mechanical engineering student Matthew Kaplan to model the flow needed in the automated corrosion testing system. Credit: Matthew Kaplan.

The US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) has partnered with the University of California, Santa Barbara’s (UCSB) mechanical engineering department to develop an automated corrosion testing system.

The nine-month project seeks to address the challenges of corrosion on US naval combat systems.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Since September last year, NSWC PHD and its private-public partnership Fathomwerx Lab have been working with a team of five UCSB seniors and other faculty members.

Under the project, the partners plan to build an automated corrosion testing system (ACTS).

This system is expected to serve as a possible solution to corrosion.

NSWC PHD lead materials engineer Armen Kvryan said: “The Navy can utilise the automated corrosion testing system for research and development and new design application, but what we plan on using this for is overall maintenance, and to understand more how we can contribute to ship readiness.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“When we do these tests with specific machinery, such as ACTS, we get unique information that lets us decide whether the asset is ready to go on its mission or not.”

The team aims to complete the ACTS by this June. The system features a sump pump in the middle and two rotating arms to submerge an object ‘in and out of water to accelerate corrosion’.

According to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), a computer interface manages the automated corrosion testing system.

The interface also controls water temperature, salinity and pH level.

In July 2019, the US Navy started the Wartime Acquisition Scalable Plan (WASP) tabletop exercise at Washington Navy Yard to improve the readiness of ships in a conflict environment.