Quantification of Hydrogen Flux from Atmospheric Corrosion of Steel Using the Scanning Kelvin Probe Technique

The atmospheric corrosion of high-strength steels can lead to hydrogen absorption directly linked to hydrogen embrittlement or delayed fracture phenomena. A scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) and electrochemical permeation technique (EPT) were applied to correlate the potential of an oxidized surface with the flux of hydrogen across a thin steel membrane. The side of the membrane opposite the corroding or electrochemically charged area was analyzed. The potential drop in the oxide was calibrated in terms of surface hydrogen activity, and SKP can be applied in situ for the mapping of hydrogen distribution in the corroding metal. A very low flux of hydrogen can be characterized and quantified by SKP, which is typically observed under atmospheric corrosion conditions. There-fore, hydrogen localization that drives steel durability under atmospheric corrosion conditions can be evaluated.

Automated summary

The atmospheric corrosion of high-strength steels can lead to hydrogen absorption, which is directly related to hydrogen embrittlement or delayed fracture phenomena. The potential of an oxidized surface was correlated with the flux of hydrogen using a scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) and electrochemical permeation technique (EPT). SKP can be used to map hydrogen distribution in corroding metal and accurately quantify low hydrogen flux typically observed under atmospheric corrosion conditions, allowing for evaluation of hydrogen localization that affects steel durability.