Investigations of Cut-edge Corrosion of Galvanized Steels by the Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique

Abstract

Local electrochemical probes, the Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique, the electrochemical capillary cell and a pH sensor have been used to study the corrosion behavior of zinc coated low alloy carbon steel cut-edges immersed in 0.03 M NaCl solution. Experimental results show an inhibition of cathodic reactions on a limited area of the steel surface. Hypothesis of self-healing on cut-edge has been tested and validated by two complementary numerical models of the corrosion behavior. Then a self-healing mechanism is proposed that explains obtained observations.