17 Corrosion Technician Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re looking for a career in the field of corrosion, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview before you’re hired. One of the best ways to prepare for this interview is to learn how to answer corrosion technician interview questions.

Employers look for corrosion technicians who are responsible, reliable, and have a good understanding of corrosion and its effects on metal. You’ll also need to be physically fit, as you may need to do some heavy lifting.

In this guide, you’ll find several samples questions and responses, including corrosion technician job interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the various types of corrosion?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have the necessary knowledge and experience to work as a corrosion technician. Use your answer to highlight your understanding of corrosion types, how they affect different materials and what methods you use to prevent them from occurring.

Example: “There are two main types of corrosion—galvanic and non-galvanic. Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals come into contact with each other in an electrolyte solution. This type of corrosion is also known as electrochemical corrosion because it’s caused by electricity. Non-galvanic corrosion happens when two similar metals or alloys come into contact with each other in an electrolyte solution. It’s also called chemical corrosion because it’s caused by a chemical reaction.”

What are the most common causes of corrosion?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of corrosion and how it affects different materials. It also helps them understand if you have experience with common causes of corrosion. Your answer should include a list of the most common causes of corrosion, along with an example of each cause.

Example: “The most common causes of corrosion are oxygen, water and temperature. For instance, when iron is exposed to air, it oxidizes and forms rust. When this happens in large quantities, it can lead to corrosion. Water is another common cause of corrosion because it contains minerals that react with metal. Finally, temperature plays a role in corrosion because some metals expand or contract at certain temperatures.”

How would you approach a situation where you need to identify the type of corrosion on a specific piece of equipment?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to apply critical thinking. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for identifying corrosion on equipment, including how you would gather information about the equipment and its location.

Example: “I would first research the type of corrosion that is most likely to occur in my area. I would then inspect the piece of equipment thoroughly to identify any signs of corrosion. If there are no visible signs of corrosion, I would use an electrochemical analyzer to test the surface of the equipment for corrosion. If the equipment has already been damaged by corrosion, I would use a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer to determine the type of corrosion.”

What is the proper safety protocol for working with hazardous materials that are prone to corrosion?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of safety procedures and how well you follow them. Use examples from your experience that show you understand the importance of following protocols and using proper equipment when working with hazardous materials.

Example: “I always make sure I have all necessary protective gear, such as gloves, goggles and masks, before handling any corrosive material. It’s also important to keep these materials in their original containers so they don’t come into contact with other substances that could cause an explosion or fire. When transporting these materials, I use only approved vehicles and storage facilities.”

Provide an example of a time when you needed to use your problem-solving skills to find a solution to a corrosion issue.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you used your problem-solving skills to find a solution to a corrosion issue. This can show the interviewer that you have the ability to use critical thinking and analytical skills to solve problems.

Example: “In my previous role as a corrosion technician, I was tasked with finding a way to reduce the amount of corrosion in a water system. After researching different methods for reducing corrosion, I decided to try using a chemical inhibitor to prevent corrosion from occurring. The results were successful, and we were able to reduce the amount of corrosion in the water system by 50%.”

If you discovered that a piece of equipment was starting to show signs of corrosion, what would be your first course of action?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach a problem and whether your actions align with their company’s values. In your answer, try to highlight your critical thinking skills and ability to solve problems.

Example: “If I discovered corrosion on equipment, my first step would be to assess the extent of the damage. If it was minor, I might clean off the surface and apply an anti-corrosion coating. However, if the corrosion was more severe, I would probably recommend replacing the piece of equipment entirely. This is because repairing major corrosion can be costly and time-consuming.”

What would you do if you noticed that one of your coworkers was violating safety protocols while working on a corrosion issue?

Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of safety protocols and how they apply to your work. In your answer, explain that you would first try to talk with them about the issue and help them understand why it’s important to follow these protocols. If they still didn’t comply, you would report them to a supervisor so they could take appropriate action.

Example: “I believe in maintaining a safe working environment for myself and my coworkers. If I noticed one of my coworkers wasn’t following safety protocols, I would first approach them and let them know what they were doing wrong. If they continued to ignore the protocol after that, I would report them to my supervisor so they could handle the situation.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

When working in a field that requires precision, it’s important to be able to perform under pressure. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle the stress of their job and still complete your work accurately. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and provide an example of a time when you did so successfully.

Example: “I am someone who is naturally calm and collected, which helps me stay focused on my work even when I’m feeling stressed. However, I also know that there are times when I need to take a break from my work to clear my head. When I feel overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to do or the size of the project, I step away for a few minutes to collect myself. Then, I get back to work with renewed focus.”

Do you have any experience working with corrosion prevention techniques?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with corrosion prevention techniques. If you have previous experience, share a specific example of how you used these methods to solve a problem or challenge in your work. If you don’t have any experience working with corrosion prevention, explain what you would do if faced with this situation on the job.

Example: “In my last position as a corrosion technician, I worked with several different companies to develop corrosion prevention strategies for their products. One company was having issues with rusting on their metal tools and equipment. We developed a plan that included applying protective coatings to the surfaces of the metal objects. This helped prevent the rust from spreading.”

When performing an inspection, what is the purpose of taking surface samples?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you know how to perform a corrosion inspection and the steps involved. Use this question as an opportunity to highlight your knowledge of the process, including what tools you use and why they’re important.

Example: “Surface samples are used to determine the type of corrosion present on a surface. This helps me understand the extent of the problem and whether it’s localized or widespread. I also take surface samples to test for contaminants in the environment, such as moisture levels and airborne particles. These tests help me determine if there are any environmental factors contributing to the corrosion.”

We want to increase the lifespan of our equipment. What types of corrosion protection methods would you recommend for our company?

This question allows you to show your knowledge of corrosion protection methods and how they can benefit a company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the benefits of each method and explain why it would be beneficial for the company.

Example: “I recommend using cathodic protection on all equipment that is in contact with water or saltwater. This will help prevent galvanic corrosion from occurring. I also suggest using sacrificial anodes when there are high-voltage areas where electrolysis could occur. These two types of corrosion prevention methods are highly effective at extending the lifespan of equipment.”

Describe your experience with using corrosion detection equipment.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with corrosion detection equipment and how you use it. Use your answer to highlight the specific types of corrosion detection equipment you’ve used in the past, as well as your ability to operate them.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for using a variety of corrosion detection equipment to test different metals and surfaces for signs of corrosion. For example, I used an electrochemical analyzer to measure the electrical conductivity of metal samples to determine their level of corrosion. I also used a potentiostat to monitor the corrosion process of various metals by measuring the current between two electrodes.”

What makes a good teammate when addressing a corrosion issue?

Teamwork is an important skill for a corrosion technician to have. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to work well with others and communicate effectively. In your answer, explain that it’s important to be open-minded when working with a team. You should also be willing to share your ideas and opinions while listening to the ideas of others.

Example: “I think it’s important to listen to everyone on the team. I try to be respectful of other people’s opinions and am always willing to learn from them. It’s also helpful to be flexible in my approach to solving problems. If someone has a better idea than me, I’m happy to change course and give their suggestion a try.”

Which corrosion protection methods are best for preserving metal structures?

This question helps the interviewer assess your knowledge of corrosion protection methods and how you apply them to metal structures. Use examples from your experience to highlight your ability to use different corrosion prevention techniques.

Example: “I believe that a combination of corrosion prevention methods is best for preserving metal structures because each method has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, I once worked on a project where we needed to protect a metal bridge from rusting while also preventing it from becoming too hot in the sun. We applied an epoxy coating to the surface of the bridge to prevent rusting and installed solar panels along the top of the structure to power the lights at night. This allowed us to reduce the need for electricity during the day, which reduced the heat buildup.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a corrosion technician to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your skills and abilities match those of their company. Use your answer to highlight a skill that you feel is important for this role, such as communication or problem-solving skills.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a corrosion technician is attention to detail. Corrosion technicians need to be able to notice even the smallest changes in metal surfaces so they can make repairs before it becomes a larger issue. I also think it’s important to have strong communication skills because corrosion technicians often work with other professionals who may not understand what we do. It’s important to be able to explain our processes clearly.”

How often should you perform routine maintenance checks on equipment to prevent corrosion?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this one to assess your knowledge of industry standards and practices. Use examples from your experience to highlight how you adhere to best practices in the field.

Example: “I recommend performing routine maintenance checks on equipment at least once every six months, depending on the type of corrosion it’s designed to prevent. For example, I worked with an oil refinery that used galvanized steel for its storage tanks. The company performed regular inspections on these tanks twice per year because they were so large and required more frequent monitoring than smaller tanks. However, I also worked with another oil refinery that used stainless steel for their storage tanks. They only needed to perform quarterly inspections because the material was less likely to corrode.”

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding a piece of equipment that is prone to corrosion. How would you approach the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. Use examples from past experiences where you had to analyze a situation, consider the possible outcomes and choose an appropriate course of action.

Example: “In my last role as a corrosion technician, I was tasked with inspecting a piece of equipment that was prone to corrosion. The company wanted me to determine whether it could be used for another five years or if it needed to be replaced. After conducting a thorough inspection, I determined that the equipment would need to be replaced in two years. This allowed the company to plan ahead and budget accordingly.”