Development of a portable device for measuring the corrosion rates of metals based on electrochemical noise signals

Abstract

This work deals with the design of a portable device for measuring and monitoring corrosion variables. The measured variables are the electrochemical potential (EP) and electrochemical current (EC). Using these signals the localization index (LI) and the corrosion rate (CR) can be estimated. Since electrochemical potential (EP) and electrochemical current (EC) are weak signals, an electronic circuit was designed and developed for measuring these two variables. The electronic circuit includes a signal amplifier, a physical filter, and an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). To estimate the IL and CR the statistical method and Neural Network method were used and compared. The device advantages are its low-cost of construction, its portability and the possibility to analyze the corrosion variables in different materials. Experimental tests carried out using 6061-T6 aluminum shown the effectiveness of the proposed device and methods and the versatility of the portable device.