During the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2026, James Gray, President of Metal Samples Company, shared his vision on advancements in corrosion monitoring and its impact on industrial asset integrity.
Firstly, Metal Samples Company has established itself as a key player in developing solutions for corrosion monitoring and material evaluation. Since 1980, the company has supplied products to industries such as chemical processing, water treatment, and oil, with an offering focused on instruments, probes, and access systems for pipelines.
Likewise, its focus is on providing tools that allow for understanding the internal condition of process lines, a critical aspect for the safe and efficient operation of industrial infrastructure.
One of the central points of the interview revolves around the relationship between two widely used technologies: corrosion coupons and electrical resistance probes (ER probes).
Far from being mutually exclusive solutions, Gray explains that both technologies should be used together. Coupons have long been a reliable standard for measuring average corrosion rates, thanks to their robustness and track record in the industry.
For their part, ER probes provide an additional layer of information by allowing observation of the evolution of the corrosion process over time. This profiling capability facilitates a more detailed understanding of material behavior under different operating conditions.
Thus, the combination of both tools allows operators to gain a more complete view of their assets' condition, which improves decision-making in maintenance and operations.
The use of high-pressure access systems is essential in environments where stopping operations is not a viable option.
According to Gray, these systems allow access to the inside of pipelines even when pressure conditions exceed the limits of conventional systems. Additionally, they offer a high level of containment, which enhances safety during monitoring tasks.
Consequently, their implementation helps maintain operational continuity without compromising the integrity of facilities or personnel safety.
Non-intrusive monitoring solutions are gaining ground within the industrial sector.
This type of technology eliminates the need for physical intervention in the line, which reduces risks associated with leaks or failures during device installation. Gray highlights that many operators value this option when seeking to minimize interventions in critical systems.
Likewise, these solutions respond to a growing demand for safer and less invasive methods, especially in complex or hard-to-reach infrastructures.
Another important aspect addressed in the interview is the relevance of data consistency.
For corrosion monitoring to be truly useful, it is necessary to maintain constant measurement conditions, both in data collection and analysis intervals. Gray emphasizes that comparing data obtained under different methodologies can lead to erroneous interpretations.
Therefore, process standardization and measurement repeatability become determining factors in ensuring the reliability of results.
In a highly specialized market, differentiation does not depend solely on technology.
Although Metal Samples' products have a long history and proven reliability, the company focuses on customer service as a distinctive element. Technical support and responsiveness to specific needs allow the company to position itself against other competitors.
In this sense, the combination of technical expertise and customer proximity reinforces its value proposition in an environment where precision and trust are essential.
Overall, the interview reflects a clear trend towards more integrated, secure, and consistent data-driven corrosion monitoring solutions.
The complementarity between technologies, the advancement of non-intrusive systems, and the need to ensure information quality shape the future of the sector. In this scenario, companies like Metal Samples continue to develop tools that respond to the current challenges of the industry.
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Source: Inspenet.
