EXAFS study of atmospheric corrosion products on zinc at the initial stage

The corrosion resistance and structural information of zinc atmospheric cor rosion products at the initial stage were investigated by using ex-situ ele ctrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in methanol and extended X-ray ab sorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). EIS in methanol performs exce llent resolution to the corrosion resistance of the surface layer from vari ous atmospheric exposures. The corrosion resistance of zinc exposed to air of 100% RH for 48 h was found three times larger than that of zinc exposed to an air of 95% RH, The EXAFS data reveal that hydrozincite and amorphous zinc hydroxide are the corrosion products of zinc exposed to atmospheres of 100% RH and 95% RH, respectively, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.