The Inaugural CorMat Dinner Brings Corrosion and Materials Professionals Together

On 12th February 2026, a new milestone for collaboration across the corrosion and materials communities with the inaugural CorMat Dinner—an initiative jointly organised by the Wales and South-West Branch of the Institute of Corrosion and the Newport & Cardiff Materials Society (NCMS). The evening brought together professionals from across disciplines for an engaging night of networking, knowledge-sharing, and community building.

The event represented more than simply a dinner; it signalled
a renewed commitment to strengthening the links between corrosion specialists and materials scientists—two closely connected fields that benefit greatly from collaboration. By creating a shared forum for conversation, the CorMat Dinner aims to encourage the exchange of ideas, foster professional relationships, and promote cross-disciplinary learning within the engineering and materials sectors. The evening attracted a diverse group of attendees, including engineers, researchers, industry specialists, and early-career professionals. Conversations flowed easily as participants discussed emerging technologies, practical challenges in corrosion management, and opportunities for collaboration across academia and industry. The relaxed atmosphere, paired with excellent food and lively discussion, created the ideal setting for both professional engagement and social connection.

The organisers were particularly honoured to welcome two distinguished guests whose presence underscored the significance of the event. Among them was Yunnan Gao, President of the Institute of Corrosion, whose leadership continues to champion the advancement of corrosion science and professional development within the field. Also in attendance was Christine Blackmore, President of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). Their participation helped highlight the importance of strengthening connections between professional institutions and technical communities.

Both guests expressed their support for initiatives that bring together professionals from related disciplines. In industries where materials performance and durability are critical—from infrastructure and energy to manufacturing and transportation—the integration of corrosion expertise with broader materials science knowledge is essential. Events like the CorMat
Dinner provide an important platform for encouraging these conversations. The success of the evening was the result of
the hard work and enthusiasm of the organising teams from both societies. Their efforts ensured that the event not only
ran smoothly but also created a welcoming and engaging environment for all attendees. The strong turnout and positive feedback demonstrated a clear appetite within the community for more opportunities to connect in this way.

Beyond the professional discussions, the evening also reminded attendees of the value of informal networking. Some of the most valuable insights and collaborations in engineering arise not only from conferences and technical papers but also from the conversations that happen around the dinner table. By bringing people together in a relaxed setting, the CorMat Dinner helped strengthen relationships that may well lead to future partnerships, projects, and innovations.

With such a successful launch, the organisers are hopeful that this inaugural gathering will become the first of many. The vision is for the CorMat Dinner to evolve into a regular event that continues to bring together corrosion and materials professionals from across the region and beyond.

If the enthusiasm of the first evening is any indication, the CorMat Dinner has already established itself as a valuable new addition to the professional calendar, one that celebrates collaboration, community, and the shared goal of advancing materials performance and corrosion management.

Stay Connected

The Wales and South-West Branch deliver a diverse
technical programme. Future events will be posted at: https://www.icorr.org/events/

To join, or to present to the branch, please contact:
swchair@icorr.org You can also keep up to date on events by visiting its LinkedIn page; https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12992293/

The ICorr India Branch has continued its programme of technical activities and knowledge sharing during the early part of 2026. The branch remains committed to promoting professional engagement, technical learning, and collaboration within the corrosion community.

On Tuesday, 20th January 2026, the branch organised an online webinar titled “Advances in the Technology of Corrosion Inhibitors.” The presentation was delivered by Dr Shweta Goyal, Professor and Head of the Civil Engineering Department at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, and Vice-Chair of the ICorr India Branch. The talk provided a detailed overview of the development of corrosion inhibitor technology for reinforced concrete.

Dr Goyal discussed the evolution of inhibitors from traditional inorganic compounds, such as nitrites, to modern organic
and environmentally friendly alternatives. Organic inhibitors containing amine,aldehyde and carboxylic functional groups were highlighted for their ability to form protective films on steel reinforcement and reduce corrosion during both the initiation and propagation stages. She also emphasised the importance of two-stage testing, beginning with pore solution studies followed by testing within concrete systems to confirm effectiveness and compatibility. Advanced techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarisation (PDP), FTIR and XPS were presented as valuable tools for understanding inhibitor mechanisms.

The talk also highlighted recent developments in sustainable corrosion protection. Amino acid–based inhibitors were discussed as promising eco-friendly solutions capable of mitigating corrosion in chloride and carbonation environments. In addition, smart corrosion inhibitors and microencapsulation technologies were presented as emerging approaches that allow inhibitors to be released only when corrosion or cracking occurs. The Bidirectional Electromigration (BIEM) technique was also introduced as a hybrid method combining chloride extraction with inhibitor injection for improved durability of reinforced concrete structures.

On Tuesday 17th February 2026, the branch hosted another technical presentation titled “Beyond Monitoring: Leveraging AI and Digital Twins for Predictive Corrosion Resilience,” delivered by Dr G. H. Thanki https://shethgroupofindustries.com/dr-g-h-thanki/

The presentation explored how artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies are transforming corrosion management by moving from reactive maintenance to predictive and data-driven strategies.

Dr Thanki explained how the integration of IoT sensors, physics-based models and advanced analytics can create digital twins that simulate asset behaviour and predict corrosion risks. These technologies allow asset owners to anticipate degradation and take preventive action before failures occur. 

He noted that corrosion costs the global economy an estimated USD 2.5 trillion annually, while also contributing significantly to environmental impacts due to the need to replace damaged infrastructure and materials.

The presentation highlighted the benefits of digital twin–based corrosion management, including potential reductions of 30–40% in maintenance costs, 25% extension of asset life, and significantly faster inspection processes.

Dr Thanki also discussed future developments such as multimodal AI combining sensor, imaging and documentation data, intelligent coatings with embedded inhibitors, and advanced simulations for designing corrosion-resistant materials.

Stay Connected

To stay informed about ICorr India Branch activities and technical programmes, follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/institute-of-corrosion-india-branch-india-branch-ab3003379/ For branch-related queries, please contact: INDIAchair@icorr.org