top of page

Laboratory and Field Assessment Services

Catherine Houska Consulting LLC (CHC) provides a broad range of targeted, metallurgical laboratory and field analysis services to improve material and finish selection, failure analyses, maintenance and corrective action decision-making related to our fields of specialization.  Please see our Expertise section for more information about our services.
CHC brings world class experience to laboratory and field testing. If you need to run specific predetermined tests to meet contract requirements, then your local laboratory will likely be a better choice.
If you want to determine how candidate materials will perform in a specific service environment or why they are failing, then you should consider using our services. This may include modifications of standardized tests to improve predictive accuracy and running tests that are new to you but better predictors of performance. 
We determine what testing is necessary, whether test modifications are necessary to improve accuracy, and provide knowledgeable test interpretation based on extensive experience on projects around the globe and scientific research. When brought in as a consulting firm, it is common for CHC to review unnecessary and often quite expensive tests that do not answer the core questions. For that reason, consulting with CHC initially can often be more cost effective.
CHC has a strict ethical code. We only propose testing that is expected to yield meaningful, defensible data. 

Testing Focus

CHC is not a general services metallurgical laboratory. We provide highly specialized niche services.

  • Comprehensive assessment of project sites for material performance comparisons and failure analysis; 

  • Representative sample failure analysis;

  • Comparative metals and finish performance testing (accelerated laboratory customized to mimic the service environment or on-site);

  • Finish appearance consistency for selection, specification or failure analysis;

  • Maintenance protocol development and product testing; and

  • Certified laboratory testing to confirm compliance with international material chemistry, mechanical and physical property requirements. 

Service Environment Testing

See our News / Publications section for our extensive publications list and some of our presentations to understand the depth of our knowledge in these areas.

  • Atmospheric corrosion;

  • Pool, spa, and aquarium;

  • Natural waters including saltwater; and

  • Soil.

Field Assessment

Field assessment can be critical for guiding design decision making or for assessing a failure. It can either be done in person by our trained staff or we can remotely guide a client representative through site documentation and sample collection for laboratory evaluation. 


CHC staff in-situ field assessment and sample collection capitalizes on our world class experience. We see things that less experienced consultants miss. That is critical in determining where to collect samples and for assessing the unique characteristics of a site or design. Structures within a short distance from one another can perform differently due to exposure, maintenance or design differences.

 
CHC field assessment provides complete traceability and adherence to the highest international standards, which is critical both for meaningful sample collection and legal issues. This is encouraged for larger projects during the design stage or when comprehensive failure analysis is needed. 


Client sample collection and documentation, under remote CHC video supervision, can significantly reduce costs for site or early-stage problem assessment. Once under contract, CHC will provide a sample collection kit and provide guidance regarding use and proper sample collection to avoid mishandling and contamination. If you have already collected samples, photo documentation, or raw laboratory data, CHC will review it and interpret it.

Field Testing

On-site investigations are conducted using portable equipment, non-destructive surface sample collection, and visual documentation. When sample removal is necessary, removal is supervised to avoid contamination and ensure traceability, after consultation to make sure that there are no structural or safety repercussions. The goal is to also minimize or avoid aesthetic concerns, if possible. 


These tests include but are not limited to:

  • Site and field microscopic photographic documentation; 

  • Comprehensive site and design assessment;

  • Field exposure testing of candidate materials;

  • Surface measurement (texture, roughness, gloss, haze, etc.), including panel-to-panel differences;

  • Coating thickness;

  • Surface deposit collection for laboratory analysis;

  • Testing for metal contamination;

  • Field chemistry testing;

  • Corrosion pit depth and thickness loss, and

  • Basic water chemistry testing for swimming pools and aquarium environments.


Client collection of information can limit testing options, but it can be sufficient and a cost effective option for some projects. CHC provides a customized testing kit and a client representative is guided through its use and the collection of photo documentation. 

Laboratory Services

​When laboratory testing is required, CHC does both in-house testing and coordinates specialized analyses through certified specialty laboratories. We ensure appropriate test selection, sample handling (e.g. traceability, appropriate collection to avoid contamination, identification), and interpretation of results. Our reports integrate laboratory findings with field observations, site analysis, and applicable standards.

 

Surface Characterization

Understanding how and why corrosion initiates requires close examination of surface condition, morphology, and microstructure. We evaluate materials at both macro and micro scales to identify defects and deterioration mechanisms. We perform:

  • Optical microscopy and digital field microscopy,

  • Macro- and micro-scale photographic documentation,

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS),

  • Metallographic specimen preparation and microstructural evaluation,

  • Fracture surface examination,

  • Surface profilometry (Ra, Rz, Rq, and related parameters), and

  • Gloss, haze, DOI, RIQ, and reflectivity measurement

Microscopy

Understanding how and why corrosion initiates requires close examination of surface condition, morphology, and microstructure. We evaluate materials at both macro and micro scales to identify defects and deterioration mechanisms. We perform:

  • Optical microscopy and digital field microscopy,

  • Macro- and micro-scale photographic documentation,

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS),

  • Metallographic specimen preparation and microstructural evaluation,

  • Fracture surface examination,

  • Surface profilometry (Ra, Rz, Rq, and related parameters), and

  • Gloss, haze, DOI, RIQ, and reflectivity measurement.​

Chemical & Compositional Analysis OR Chemical Analysis OR Alloy Verification & Chloride Testing

Material failures and unexpected corrosion may trace back to composition at fabrication, contamination, or environmental exposure. We verify alloy chemistry, evaluate corrosion products, and quantify surface contaminants. We perform:
Alloy identification and compositional verification,

  • X-ray Fluorescence (XRF),

  • Surface chloride tests on-site,

  • Other ion analysis in-lab,

  • Corrosion product characterization, and

  • Residual and trace contaminant analysis.

Coating, Finish, and PVD Evaluation OR PVD and Metallic Coating Assessment OR Coating Failure & PVD Performance Testing

Architectural coatings and decorative finishes require both aesthetic and performance evaluation. We assess thickness, adhesion, surface chemistry, and durability to determine whether finishes are performing as specified and suitable for their service environment. We perform:

  • Coating thickness measurement (magnetic induction, eddy current),

  • Cross-sectional layer evaluation,

  • PVD coating analysis (including XPS/ESCA, AES, SIMS as required),

  • Paint and clear coating testing, and

  • Color measurement with spectrophotometry.

Mechanical & Structural Performance Testing OR Mechanical Testing OR Weld, Strength & Structural Material Testing

Where structural integrity or fabrication performance is in question, mechanical testing and metallurgical analysis provide clarity. These services are coordinated to evaluate strength, weld performance, and material selection. We perform:

  • Tensile and mechanical property testing,

  • Microstructure mount, polish, and photomicrography,

  • Weld performance evaluation,

  • Hardness testing, and

  • Bend and formability testing.

Corrosion & Environmental Exposure Studies OR Accelerated Corrosion & Durability Testing

When long-term durability is uncertain, controlled exposure testing can simulate service conditions. We coordinate both standardized and project-specific corrosion studies to forecast performance and compare material options, including:

  • Long-term corrosion studies

  • Accelerated weathering and UV exposure

  • Salt spray and cyclic corrosion testing (ASTM B117 and G85)

  • Marine and deicing salt simulation, potentially with PH adjustment for acid rain (ASTM ) 

  • Temperature and humidity cycling (ISO 16944, ASTM     )

  • Custom environmental exposure protocols

  • Soil and buried environment corrosion evaluation

Field Investigation & In-Situ Assessment OR On-Site Corrosion Investigation & Condition Assessment

Effective testing begins in the field. We perform on-site evaluations to classify exposure severity, document deterioration, and determine what laboratory analysis is truly necessary. We perform:

  • Atmospheric corrosion site assessments,

  • Coastal and deicing salt exposure evaluation,

  • Pool, spa, and natatorium environment assessment,

  • In-place material identification screening,

  • Surface contaminant sampling and lift testing,

  • Cleaning and maintenance condition assessment, and

  • Preservation and restoration planning support.

bottom of page