BEST PRACTICES FOR
CORROSION UNDER INSULATION
MONITORING: CUI RP 101
Corrosion under insulation (CUI) has
long been one of the most elusive and
costly forms of degradation in indus-
trial assets, responsible for a significant
portion of unplanned maintenance
and failures in sectors such as oil and
gas, chemical processing, and power
generation. The recent release of
CUI RP 101: Best Practices for Corrosion
Under Insulation Monitoring, led by
CorrosionRADAR in collaboration with
an expert industry task force, marks a
major advancement in the standard-
ization of monitoring strategies for this
high-risk corrosion mechanism.
This new best-practice document
provides a comprehensive, technology-
agnostic framework for designing
and implementing CUI monitoring
programs. It offers asset owners and
operators a structured roadmap to shift
from reactive inspection to predictive
maintenance, enabling earlier detection
and better decision-making. CUI RP 101
emphasizes continuous monitoring,
data integration, and risk-based priori-
tization, helping organizations improve
safety, reliability, and lifecycle asset
performance.
At the heart of this transformation
is the expanded and strategic role of
nondestructive testing (NDT). Traditional
inspection techniques, such as visual
inspections and manual ultrasonic spot
checks, have proven limited in detecting
CUI due to insulation barriers and inter-
mittent coverage. CUI RP 101 elevates
NDT by recommending advanced
sensor-based methods, including guided
wave ultrasonics, electromagnetic
sensors, digital radiography, and perma-
nently installed corrosion monitoring
systems. These techniques allow for real-
time, nonintrusive assessment of corro-
sion progression beneath insulation, even
in inaccessible areas.
Moreover, the best practices
encourage integrating NDT data into
centralized asset integrity systems,
enabling data-driven maintenance plan-
ning and reducing reliance on insula-
tion removal or shutdowns. By linking
continuous monitoring with advanced
analytics and machine learning, asset
owners can detect CUI earlier, minimize
false positives, and optimize inspection
intervals based on actual degradation
trends.
CUI RP 101 represents a paradigm
shift from periodic inspection to proac-
tive condition-based monitoring, aligning
with the industry’s broader movement
toward digital transformation and predic-
tive maintenance. By highlighting the
importance of cross-functional collabora-
tion between inspection teams, corrosion
engineers, and digital specialists, the
guideline ensures a scalable and flexible
approach to managing CUI risks across
diverse asset portfolios.
At a time when asset integrity and
sustainability are under growing scru-
tiny, the launch of CUI RP 101 delivers
timely guidance for organizations seeking
to modernize their corrosion manage-
ment strategies. By harnessing the full
capabilities of NDT technologies, this
best-practice framework sets a new
benchmark for protecting infrastructure
from one of the industry’s most persistent
threats.
STANDARDS EDITOR
Hossein Taheri, PhD: Georgia Southern
University, Statesboro, GA
htaheri@georgiasouthern.edu
SCANNER
|
STANDARDSUPDATE
SAVE THE DATE:
3RD ANNUAL ASNT
FOUNDATION GOLF
TOURNAMENT
Mark your calendars! The
ASNT Foundation’s 3rd Annual Golf
Tournament is set for Monday,
6 October, at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club in
Kissimmee, Florida. Whether you’re
a seasoned golfer or a beginner, join
us for a fun-filled day of golf and
networking—all for a great cause.
This event will take place in
conjunction with ASNT 2025, held
6–9 October—making it the perfect
way to connect before the conference
begins. All tournament proceeds
benefit the ASNT Foundation,
supporting the advancement of
nondestructive testing through scholar-
ships, grants, research, and workforce
development.
We’re planning ahead for the tour-
nament and want to hear from you. If
you plan to join us on the course or if
your company is interested in spon-
soring this year’s event, please scan the
QR code and submit the interest form.
Your response helps us organize an
outstanding event and ensures we’re
ready to welcome everyone who wants
to participate.
More information will be posted
on asntfoundation.org as it becomes
available. Save the date—we’ll see you
on the green!
|
SOCIETYNOTES
SCAN THE
QR CODE
AND SUBMIT
THE INTEREST
FORM
18
M AT E R I A L S E V A L U AT I O N • A U G U S T 2 0 2 5
CORROSION UNDER INSULATION
MONITORING: CUI RP 101
Corrosion under insulation (CUI) has
long been one of the most elusive and
costly forms of degradation in indus-
trial assets, responsible for a significant
portion of unplanned maintenance
and failures in sectors such as oil and
gas, chemical processing, and power
generation. The recent release of
CUI RP 101: Best Practices for Corrosion
Under Insulation Monitoring, led by
CorrosionRADAR in collaboration with
an expert industry task force, marks a
major advancement in the standard-
ization of monitoring strategies for this
high-risk corrosion mechanism.
This new best-practice document
provides a comprehensive, technology-
agnostic framework for designing
and implementing CUI monitoring
programs. It offers asset owners and
operators a structured roadmap to shift
from reactive inspection to predictive
maintenance, enabling earlier detection
and better decision-making. CUI RP 101
emphasizes continuous monitoring,
data integration, and risk-based priori-
tization, helping organizations improve
safety, reliability, and lifecycle asset
performance.
At the heart of this transformation
is the expanded and strategic role of
nondestructive testing (NDT). Traditional
inspection techniques, such as visual
inspections and manual ultrasonic spot
checks, have proven limited in detecting
CUI due to insulation barriers and inter-
mittent coverage. CUI RP 101 elevates
NDT by recommending advanced
sensor-based methods, including guided
wave ultrasonics, electromagnetic
sensors, digital radiography, and perma-
nently installed corrosion monitoring
systems. These techniques allow for real-
time, nonintrusive assessment of corro-
sion progression beneath insulation, even
in inaccessible areas.
Moreover, the best practices
encourage integrating NDT data into
centralized asset integrity systems,
enabling data-driven maintenance plan-
ning and reducing reliance on insula-
tion removal or shutdowns. By linking
continuous monitoring with advanced
analytics and machine learning, asset
owners can detect CUI earlier, minimize
false positives, and optimize inspection
intervals based on actual degradation
trends.
CUI RP 101 represents a paradigm
shift from periodic inspection to proac-
tive condition-based monitoring, aligning
with the industry’s broader movement
toward digital transformation and predic-
tive maintenance. By highlighting the
importance of cross-functional collabora-
tion between inspection teams, corrosion
engineers, and digital specialists, the
guideline ensures a scalable and flexible
approach to managing CUI risks across
diverse asset portfolios.
At a time when asset integrity and
sustainability are under growing scru-
tiny, the launch of CUI RP 101 delivers
timely guidance for organizations seeking
to modernize their corrosion manage-
ment strategies. By harnessing the full
capabilities of NDT technologies, this
best-practice framework sets a new
benchmark for protecting infrastructure
from one of the industry’s most persistent
threats.
STANDARDS EDITOR
Hossein Taheri, PhD: Georgia Southern
University, Statesboro, GA
htaheri@georgiasouthern.edu
SCANNER
|
STANDARDSUPDATE
SAVE THE DATE:
3RD ANNUAL ASNT
FOUNDATION GOLF
TOURNAMENT
Mark your calendars! The
ASNT Foundation’s 3rd Annual Golf
Tournament is set for Monday,
6 October, at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club in
Kissimmee, Florida. Whether you’re
a seasoned golfer or a beginner, join
us for a fun-filled day of golf and
networking—all for a great cause.
This event will take place in
conjunction with ASNT 2025, held
6–9 October—making it the perfect
way to connect before the conference
begins. All tournament proceeds
benefit the ASNT Foundation,
supporting the advancement of
nondestructive testing through scholar-
ships, grants, research, and workforce
development.
We’re planning ahead for the tour-
nament and want to hear from you. If
you plan to join us on the course or if
your company is interested in spon-
soring this year’s event, please scan the
QR code and submit the interest form.
Your response helps us organize an
outstanding event and ensures we’re
ready to welcome everyone who wants
to participate.
More information will be posted
on asntfoundation.org as it becomes
available. Save the date—we’ll see you
on the green!
|
SOCIETYNOTES
SCAN THE
QR CODE
AND SUBMIT
THE INTEREST
FORM
18
M AT E R I A L S E V A L U AT I O N • A U G U S T 2 0 2 5
