By Kerry Cole, Editor of Materials Performance (MP) magazine

As corrosion programs become increasingly data-rich, the industry is being forced to grapple with how to manage, interpret, and apply complex datasets in ways that support sound engineering decisions.

Those issues will be addressed during “Data Challenges in Corrosion,” a Sunday morning technical session during the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo. The presentations will take place from 9:00 a.m. to noon in Room 362 DE.

Chaired by Corey Mitchell of Entrust Solutions Group, with Hui (Jack) Wang serving as vice chair, the session is designed to create what Mitchell describes as “a dynamic environment where industry experts can share their insights, exchange best practices, and collaborate on finding innovative solutions to the data challenges posed by corrosion data.”

Mitchell says discussions will focus on “how the corrosion industry is adapting to rapidly evolving data ecosystems — particularly the challenges of data quality, integration, interpretation, and deployment at scale.” Presenters will explore practical applications of cloud-based platforms, machine learning–assisted diagnostics, advanced sensing technologies, and predictive modeling frameworks.

Presentations will include a cloud-based approach to the corrosion control industry, development and implementation of corrosion management strategies at crude processing facilities, and the use of passive radio frequence identification corrosion sensing to improve Department of Defense asset management. The session will conclude with a presentation on applying machine learning to detect and manage corrosion under insulation (CUI).

Mitchell emphasized that the goal is not technology for technology’s sake.

“Data-driven tools are advancing faster than the frameworks used to apply them,” he says. “As a community, we must ensure that new analytical capabilities complement rather than replace sound engineering judgment.”

The session is expected to benefit corrosion and materials engineers, integrity and inspection professionals, data scientists, asset owners, and regulators. Ultimately, Mitchell hopes attendees leave with “the confidence and technical context needed to integrate data-driven approaches into robust, defensible corrosion management programs.”