Potential Dependence of Corrosion Extent

The principle of electrochemical corrosion protection processes is illustrated in Figs. 2-2 and 2-5. The necessary requirement for the protection process is the existence of a potential range in which corrosion reactions either do not occur or occur only at negligibly low rates. Unfortunately, it cannot be assumed that such a range always exists in electrochemical corrosion, since potential ranges for different types of corrosion overlap and because in addition theoretical protection ranges cannot be attained due to simultaneous disrupting reactions. 

To discover the effective potential ranges for electrochemical protection, the dependence of the relevant corrosion quantities on the potential is ascertained in the laboratory. These include not only weight loss, but also the number and depth of pits, the penetration rate in selective corrosion, and service life as well as crack growth rate in mechanically stressed specimens, etc. Section 2.4 contains a summarized survey of the potential ranges for different systems and types of corrosion. Four groups can be distinguished  

The protection range lies at more negative potentials than the protection potential and is not limited  

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