Innovation and Science:

This will in future allow an early and cost-effective diagnosis of any negative effects from corrosion or fatigue damages. Parallel to it the outlines for standardized procedures for the condition evaluation will
be created and methods for verification examined.

International cooperation for innovative technology

The company TÜV AUSTRIA SERVICES GMBH as coordinator of the EU-wide R(esearch)+D(evelopment) project CORFAT has more than 30 years of experience in the use of acoustic emission tests. CORFAT stands for “Cost effective corrosion and fatigue monitoring for transport products.“ During these 30 years TÜV AUSTRIA has become the leading institute in Europe in the field of acoustic emission tests.

TÜV AUSTRIA already gained experience as coordinator of research projects carried out EU-wide in the project about corrosion tests in oil tankers in the 5th EU-Framework Programme, for which a method for detecting corrosion in oil tankers was developed which worked on an acoustic basis. The other 10 project partners for the CORFAT project were selected on the basis of their expertise in the field of testing and monitoring in the general field of naval, rail and road transport; three of the partners were already collaborators in the oil tanker project mentioned before.

Special attention was given to the fact that apart from the inspection bodies the leading European manufacturers of acoustic emission testing equipment and the leading classification society for oil tankers in the world were involved in the project. Major partners are also universities which could contribute basic knowledge for shipbuilding and the construction of road transport vehicles.

CORFAT, which deals with corrosion as well as fatigue cracks, has a general approach for all means of transport and is to develop not only an inspection method but especially a monitoring method. The project comprises a total budget of approx. 4,200,000,- Euro, of which approx. Euro 2,800,000,- come from European subvention funds. The difference will be borne by the participants of the project.

Safely underway in Europe

The main objective of CORFAT is the development of a prototype for a sound emission testing appliance which will examine means of transport for corrosion and material damages through acoustic emission tests whilst they are in operation.

On the basis of the monitoring results and an evaluation system developed from it one can then determine when for example the time for repairs or additional inspections has come.

Further Information

Dipl.-Ing. Peter Tscheliesnig
TÜV AUSTRIA SERVICES GMBH