Comparative investigation on copper atmospheric corrosion by electrochemical impedance and electrical resistance sensors

Abstract

Electrochemical impedance (EIS) and thin electrical resistance (ER) sensors were invented for atmospheric corrosion measurement of copper (Cu) during cyclic wetting–drying/high–low temperature tests and field exposure tests. Three-month field exposure results showed that average corrosion rate of Cu measured by ER sensor was well in accordance with that by weight loss method. During cyclic wetting–drying test, EIS was proven to reflect sensitively time of wetting and drying on the surface of sensor. Although corrosion rate obtained from EIS had a similar tendency to that obtained from ER sensors, the former was more dependent on environmental humidity than the latter. When relative humidity was low than 60%, corrosion rate of Cu measured by EIS was much lower than that by weight loss method, mainly attributing to the fact that impedance sensor failed to detect corrosion current of interlaced Cu electrodes due to the breakdown of conductive passage composed of absorbed thin liquid film under low humidity condition. Promisingly, ER sensor was proven to be more suitable for atmospheric corrosion monitoring than electrochemical techniques because it could sensitively monitor thickness loss of Cu foil according to the Ohmic law, no matter how dry or wet the sensor surface is.