Evaluation of Corrosion Behavior of Coated Metals with AC Impedance Measurements^*

AC impedance measurements have been performed in 0.5 N NaCl for coated steel and aluminum alloys which had been subjected to different surface treatment procedures. These procedures included phosphating for steel and exposure to a conversion coating for the Al alloys. A polybutadiene coating of 8 ± 2 μm thichness was applied by spin coating. The AC impedance measurements made it possible to follow the penetration of electrolyte into the coating and to detect the initiation of corrosion at the metal/coating interface. A general model has been used to analyze the impedance data in terms of reactions occurring during the interaction of the coated metals with the environment. Based on this analysis the different pretreatment procedures have been ranked in terms of their efficiency in providing corrosion protection by the organic coating. A comparison between impedance results and visual observation over several days of the corroded and the delaminated areas under the coating confirm that AC impedance data can be used to characterize organic coating/metal systems.