Significance and Use

This test method can be utilized to verify the performance of polarization resistance measurement equipment including reference electrodes, electrochemical cells, potentiostats, scan generators, measuring and recording devices. The test method is also useful for training operators in sample preparation and experimental techniques for polarization resistance measurements.

Polarization resistance can be related to the rate of general corrosion for metals at or near their corrosion potential, E _corr . Polarization resistance measurements are an accurate and rapid way to measure the general corrosion rate. Real time corrosion monitoring is a common application. The technique can also be used as a way to rank alloys, inhibitors, and so forth in order of resistance to general corrosion.

In this test method, a small potential scan, ? E(t) , defined with respect to the corrosion potential ( ? E = E E _corr ), is applied to a metal sample. The resultant currents are recorded. The polarization resistance, R _P , of a corroding electrode is defined from Eq 1 as the slope of a potential versus current density plot at i = 0 (1-4) :

The current density is given by i . The corrosion current density, i _corr , is related to the polarization resistance by the Stern-Geary coefficient, B . (3) ,

The dimension of R _p is ohm-cm ² , i _corr is muA/cm ² , and B is in V. The Stern-Geary coefficient is related to the anodic, b _a , and cathodic, b _c , Tafel slopes as per Eq 3.

The units of the Tafel slopes are V. The corrosion rate, CR , in mm per year can be determined from Eq 4 in which EW is the equivalent weight of the corroding species in grams and ? is the density of the corroding material in g/cm ³ .

Refer to Practice G 102 for derivations of the above equations and methods for estimating Tafel slopes.

The test method may not be appropriate to measure polarization resistance on all materials or in all environments. See 9.2 for a discussion of method biases arising from solution resistance and electrode capacitance.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers an experimental procedure for polarization resistance measurements which can be used for the calibration of equipment and verification of experimental technique. The test method can provide reproducible corrosion potentials and potentiodynamic polarization resistance measurements.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

G3 Practice for Conventions Applicable to Electrochemical Measurements in Corrosion Testing

G5 Reference Test Method for Making Potentiostatic and Potentiodynamic Anodic Polarization Measurements

G102 Practice for Calculation of Corrosion Rates and Related Information from Electrochemical Measurements

Keywords

anodic polarization; auxiliary electrode; cathodic polarization; corrosion; corrosion potential; corrosion rate; current density; electrochemical cell; electrochemical potential; Luggin probe; mixed potential; open-circuit potential; overvoltage; polarization resistance; potentiodynamic; reference electrode; solution resistance; Stern-Geary coefficient; Tafel slope; working electrode; Anodic polarization measurement; Cathodic polarization; Corrosion--metals/alloys; Electrochemical measurements/testing; Luggin probe; Open-circuit potential; Polarization resistance; Tafel slopes;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 17.220.20 (Measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities)

DOI: 10.1520/G0059-97R09

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM G59