Electromagnetic induction corrosion control technology (EICCT)

Abstract

Over the past several years, a new corrosion control technology has been developed for protecting damaged, painted galvanized, and galvannealed surfaces in contact with ambient aqueous environments. This technology, which we call electromagnetically induced corrosion control technology (EICCT), is an electronic technology that is based upon coupling surface currents into the metal structure to be protected. Electromagnetic induction experiments have demonstrated that the induced current is spread across the surfaces of complex shapes, such as an automobile body, as required by Maxwell's equations, so that induction at a single point is effective in protecting a whole, complex‐shaped surface, that the power consumption is very low, and possibly that the induced signal may be tailored to optimize the efficacy. The observed efficacy is attributed to inhibition of zinc passivation as directly indicated by the coupling current. Efficacy is also indicated by inhibition of rusting at scribes in painted panels. It is important to emphasize that the technique is not a classical, impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system.