Corrosion Measurement of the Atmospheric Environment Using Galvanic Cell Sensors

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Corrosion Engineering

Background:

• Atmospheric corrosion monitoring (ACM) is crucial for material longevity.
• Existing ACMs can be complex and costly.
• A need exists for simple, adaptable, and affordable corrosion sensors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a novel galvanic cell sensor for atmospheric corrosion monitoring.
• To demonstrate the sensor's ability to measure corrosion rates via short-circuit current.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance in various environmental conditions.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a three-layer galvanic cell sensor (gold cathode, metal anode, epoxy resin insulator).
• Utilized printed circuit board (PCB) or flexible printed circuit (FPC) with metal coupons.
• Measured short-circuit current to determine corrosion rate.
• Conducted water droplet and salt spray tests for feasibility and practicability.

Main Results:

• The galvanic cell sensor effectively tracked corrosion status.
• Corrosion current correlated with electrolyte evaporation in water droplet tests.
• Salt spray tests showed practical applicability, with electric charge correlating to thickness loss.
• Comparative tests with aluminum, iron, and copper demonstrated sensor versatility.

Conclusions:

• The proposed galvanic cell sensor is a feasible and practical tool for atmospheric corrosion monitoring.
• Its simple design, low cost, and flexible parameters make it suitable for various applications.
• The sensor provides an effective method for early detection and control of material corrosion.