Surface resistivity/conductivity of oxide–hydroxide compounds in inhibited seawater by optical interferometry

Abstract

Optical interferometry techniques were used to measure the surface resistivity/conductivity of carbon steel samples in blank seawater and in seawater with different concentrations of a corrosion inhibitor, without any physical contact. The measurement of the surface resistivity/conductivity of carbon steel samples was carried out in blank seawater and in seawater with a concentration range of 5–20 ppm of RA-41 corrosion inhibitor, at room temperature. In this investigation, the real-time holographic interferometry was carried out to measure the thickness of anodic dissolved layer or the total thickness, Utotal, of the formed oxide layer of carbon steel samples during the alternating current (AC) impedance of the samples in blank seawater and in 5–20 ppm RA-41 inhibited seawater, respectively. In other words, the surface resistivity/conductivity of carbon steel samples was determined simultaneously by holographic interferometry, an electromagnetic method, and by the Electrochemical Impedance (E.I) spectroscopy, an electronic method. In addition, a mathematical model was derived in order to correlate between the AC impedance (resistance) and to the surface (orthogonal) displacement of the surface of the samples in solutions.

Keywords

• Intermetallics
• Corrosion
• Electrical properties
• Non-destructive testing