FAQ's

FAQ: Answers to your questions

Why so little emphasis on this type of engineering, is this common in other countries?

The trends are the same in other countries. Many have simply taken the attitude that either corrosion is unavoidable and nothing can be done about it, or things are built cheaply and easily replaced.  However, this mindset is beginning to be transformed due to increased regulatory pressures (environmental, health, safety, etc.) and prospects of legal liabilities resulting from asset failures. 

Futhermore, the federal government has begun to establish laws and policies that are establishing the need for Corrosion Prevention and Control Plans to incorporated into major infrastructure and equipment acquisition projects.

In the United States, given the lack of specialists in corrosion engineering, who has been doing corrosion work?

Primarily this has been handled by Chemical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Materials Science Engineers/Metallurgists, Civil Engineers and Chemists who have received on-the-job training in corrosion. However, industry surveys have indicated that employers would prefer to hire an engineer with a B.S. in corrosion engineering if one were available. 

Industry studies indicate that in the next decade, 40 percent of the workforce with training in corrosion engineering will retire. Because training is predominantly 'on the job' or sponsored by employers, there is no pipeline of candidates ready to take their places. This was confirmed by a survey of six national industry associations completed by The University of Akron in 2007.

Further, 66 percent of employers perceive that current engineering graduates are not trained to understand and manage the effects of corrosion, and nearly 75 percent experience a shortage of qualified job candidates with corrosion skill sets.

What professional organizations support corrosion engineering?

Major supporting organizations include:

• NACE International (formerly know as The National Association of Corrosion Engineers),
• The Electrochemical Society,
• ASM International (formerly known as The American Society for Materials), and others.

Is corrosion engineering a field in which graduate study is required for employment or can students be employed as corrosion engineers with a baccalaureate?

Graduate study is not required. Corrosion engineering is a wonderful opportunity for students to progress rapidly within a company, government agency (such as Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, etc.), or many other organizations.

For more information complete the Contact Us page or call 330-972-2800.