The history and development of the -0.850 VCSE potential criterion is traced through the technical literature over the last 60 years with respect to thermodynamic consideration and empirical testing in both the laboratory and field. The significance of reference electrode position and IR drop voltages for the protective potential measurement is discussed. The influence of soil resistivity, sulfate reducing bacteria, and temperature on the effectiveness of the minimum potential value is reviewed. In addition the hazards of overprotecting a steel structure with respect to hydrogen embrittlement and coating disbondment is considered.

Subject
Steel structures, Test methods, Voltage drops, Cathodic protection, Corrosion rate, Cathodic potential, Interfaces, Corrosion protection, Polarized potential, Protection potential, Soil, Corrosion potential, Electrode potential
Keywords:
cathodic protection, potential criterion, industry standards, thermodynamics, IR drop, stress corrosion cracking, bacteria, hydrogen embrittlement, temperature, soil resistivity
© 1993 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1993
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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