SwRI Develops Innovative Probe for Enhanced Corrosion Detection in Storage Tanks

SAN ANTONIO – March 2, 2026 – Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has unveiled a new magnetostrictive transducer (MST) probe utilizing ultrasonic guided wave technology to detect corrosion in storage tanks. This advancement offers a more cost-effective and efficient inspection method compared to traditional techniques that require tanks to be emptied and manually inspected.

Addressing a Critical Industry Need

Regular inspection of storage tanks is crucial across numerous industries, including oil and gas, aerospace, manufacturing, shipping, and utilities. Still, conventional inspection methods are often expensive and time-consuming, necessitating tank downtime for emptying, cleaning, and manual examination. SwRI’s new probe aims to mitigate these challenges by enabling inspection without the need for tank emptying, reducing downtime and enhancing worker safety by avoiding hazardous confined spaces.

How the MST 8×8 Probe Works

The SwRI MST 8×8 is a flexible strip equipped with eight ultrasonic sensors. These sensors generate acoustic waves along a structure, and anomalies – such as corrosion or other flaws – are identified when the waves are reflected back. The probe specifically employs shear horizontal guided waves, chosen for their sensitivity and precision in detecting defects. The probe creates highly detailed 2D maps of the tanks using a technique called full matrix capture.

Advanced Imaging for Precise Damage Assessment

Data collected by the probe is processed using an advanced imaging algorithm, the total focusing method, which generates high-resolution maps of the structure. According to Dr. Sergey Vinogradov of SwRI, this allows for a detailed assessment of potential corrosion, enabling informed decisions regarding repair scheduling. “instead of just indicating the presence of an anomaly, it can create a high-resolution map of the structure, showing areas with potential corrosion,” said Vinogradov.

Versatility and Future Availability

The technology is not limited to storage tanks; it can also be applied to ship hulls, wind turbines, rocket bodies, pipelines, and other structures. SwRI plans to offer the technology through equipment sales, licensing, and technology transfer to inspection companies. The research detailing the efficacy of the SwRI MST 8×8 was published in MDPI Sensors on February 13, 2026.

SwRI’s Expertise in Corrosion Science

SwRI offers a comprehensive range of corrosion science and process engineering services, including:

• Cathodic Protection
• Corrosion Failure Analysis
• Corrosion Inhibitors
• Corrosion Monitoring & Sensor Solutions
• Corrosion Testing Laboratory
• Pipeline & Storage Tank Failure Analyses

More information about SwRI’s capabilities in this area can be found at SwRI’s Corrosion Science & Process Engineering page.