What is corrosion?
Corrosion is a natural process that occurs when metals and other materials deteriorate and degrade due to chemical or electrochemical reactions with their surrounding environment. It is most associated with metals, but other materials like ceramics and polymers can also experience a form of corrosion.
The most well-known type of corrosion is rust, which is the corrosion of iron or steel. When metals corrode, they can lose their original properties, strength, and appearance, leading to structural weakness, aesthetic damage, and reduced functionality.
What is the purpose of the ACA?
The Australasian Corrosion Association, or ACA, is a non-profit organization based in Australia and New Zealand that is dedicated to promoting the understanding and control of corrosion. The ACA serves as a hub for professionals, researchers, and industries involved in corrosion prevention and management.
The association provides a platform for knowledge exchange, networking opportunities, and technical resources related to corrosion prevention, mitigation, and monitoring. It also conducts educational programs, training courses, and seminars to spread awareness and improve the skills of those working in the field of corrosion management.
The ACA collaborates with various industries, government agencies, and research institutions to support research and development efforts in corrosion control. Additionally, the association often organizes conferences and events to bring together experts from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in the field. The ACA aims to be on the ground in a supportive role for its membership and community.
What is an Association?
An association is an organised group of individuals, companies, or organisations that come together to pursue a common interest, goal, or purpose. These groups can be formal or informal and are typically formed to promote, advocate for, or support a particular cause, profession, industry, or shared activity.
Non-profit associations such as the ACA are organisations that operate for the public benefit rather than financial gain. They are often driven by a mission or goal to serve the interests of their members or the broader community.
How long has the ACA been an Association?
The ACA started in 1955 with its Melbourne branch, with the Sydney branch forming a year later. By the turn of the decade, there were branches down the East Coast of Australia, and ten years after its formation the ACA had branches around the country. The New Zealand Corrosion Prevention Association, which had started independently in the fifties, joined the Australian branches in 1960 following attendance at the Melbourne conference to form the modern Australasian Corrosion Association.
Can I become a Member?
Anybody who is interested in corrosion can become a member. The ACA offers different tiers based on level of involvement, including corporate memberships.
What is my local Branch?
Most Branches are on a state level, such as Queensland or Victoria. However, the ACA also has Divisions within Branches that were developed to reflect geographically separated cohorts within Branches. Upon signing up for an ACA membership, you will automatically be assigned and introduced to your local Branch.
What can training do for me?
Training is an excellent means of upskilling and developing new abilities within the corrosion industry. As our trainings are industry-created, accredited, and recognised, they have a longstanding reputation across the industry. Receiving training from the ACA allows for career and professional development across all fields of corrosion, depending on the level and specificity of the training course. See our course listings here Training Course Listings and our offerings here Training Programs – The Australasian Corrosion Association Inc.
Where can I find Training FAQs?
You can click here for all of General Training FAQs as well as course specific frequently asked questions below.
Do I have to vote/be involved with a Branch?
Once you’ve joined a Branch, your level of involvement is up to you. The ACA has Members who on local Branch Committees and make executive decisions on behalf of the Branch, whilst others chose to have their membership as means of supporting and networking within the industry. We ensure that our Branches work for our members and provide services based on our Members’ needs.
I have a further question, what is the best contact?
If you have any further queries, please contact aca@corrosion.com.au. From there, we will ensure that the right department contacts you.
What is the Conference?
The annual Corrosion & Prevention conference is held in different cities and towns around Australia and New Zealand each year. It is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest conference focused to corrosion, and draws speakers, delegates, and more from all over the world. It is an opportunity to network, learn, and network with the corrosion community in a dedicated setting amongst corrosion industry peers.
I don’t know if I have a Membership with the ACA, who can I contact?
To verify details on your corrosion membership, please contact our membership department at aca@corrosion.com.au. From there, we will ensure that someone from the membership department contacts you.
What are my benefits as a member?
For a full range and rundown of our membership benefits, please review the following page: Membership benefits.
For more information, please contact our membership department at aca@corrosion.com.au.
How can I register to a training course?
All registrations for training courses are taken through our website. Course listings can be found here Training Course listings. You can search by course acronym and state acronym in the search bar. All listings contain information on dates, times, locations. For further information on the course specifically you can find it here Training Programs – The Australasian Corrosion Association Inc.
For anything else related to training, please contact our training department at training@corrosion.com.au.
What are the Technical Groups?
The ACA’s Technical Groups are specialists in their respective fields. They provide insight, industry guidance, and more through their involvement in technical events, seminars, and other initiatives to share and promote their knowledge. For more information on our Technical Groups, please contact our head office at aca@corrosion.com.au.
How can I join a Technical Group?
We always welcome new members to our Technical Groups as we continue to pursue the aims and objectives of the ACA.
Do I need to be a Member to attend ACA events?
Most ACA events are accessible to non-Members, though Members do receive considerable benefits such as discounts, early access, and recordings to informative events. It is recommended to join the ACA to receive the full benefits of the numerous events that the ACA holds across its organisation.
Do I need to be a Member to attend training course?
Students don’t need to have an ACA Membership to sit a training course, however, Members have access to discounted course fees and access to additional information and support from the ACA.
What is the YCG?
The YCG, or Young Corrosion Group, operates as the youth component of the Australasian Corrosion Association. As membership changes and the needs of the Association continue to evolve, there is a need to develop new perspectives and skill-sets within the industry. A YCG member must be under the age of 35. YCG Members may be part of Technical Groups and local Branch Committees, though it is unusual for them to hold executive positions. The ACA is committed to building on the objectives and aims of the YCG and support the YCG as the future of the ACA’s activities and those of the broader Australasian corrosion industry.