Electrochemical measurements in Corrosion research

Corrosion research is essential for understanding and mitigating material degradation in sectors such as aerospace, marine, energy, and infrastructure. Electrochemical techniques—especially electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear polarization resistance (LPR)—offer fast, sensitive, and reproducible insights into corrosion mechanisms and protection strategies.

Resources about electrochemical corrosion research and testing

Application notes

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Key factors to consider when selecting a potentiostat for Key factors to consider when selecting a potentiostat for corrosion studies:

High impedance range for coating evaluations and EIS measurements
Low current accuracy for detecting early corrosion onset
EIS frequency range suitable for slow corrosion reactions
Setup with ASTM compliance
Selectable floating and grounded measurement mode
Computer-free operation for very long corrosion tests

What are your challenges in Corrosion research?

VIONIC powered by INTELLO with ± 50 V dual mode compliance voltage can deliver the optimal power for any corrosion application, including those in high impedance environments..

Configurable setup for corrosion research

Metrohm Autolab potentiostats and galvanostats, combined with a wide range of specific accessories and advanced software packages, provide a complete and flexible solution for advanced corrosion research and testing in your lab. Maximize efficiency with automated and routine workflows or boost your discoveries with exploratory workflows for measuring corrosion rates, investigating corrosion mechanisms, analyzing coating properties or screening for the best corrosion inhibitor.

Our complete solutions are compliant with the most important ASTM standards used for electrochemical corrosion testing such as: G5, G59, G61, G100, B825, G150, G102, G106, G148, G185, G199, F2129, F746 and others.

Metrohm Autolab potentiostats/galvanostats

VIONIC powered by INTELLO

Single channel, all-in-one potentiostat/galvanostat
Dual-mode compliance voltage: ± 10 V / ± 50 V
Switchable floating
Lowest current range: ± 1 nA; Maximum current: ± 6 A
EIS: up to 10 MHz maximum frequency
RDE, RCE control
Computer-free operation with internal memory

Details

Autolab Modular line: AUT302N

Single channel modular potentiostat/galvanostat
Highest versatility, upgradeable with up to 11 optional modules
Compliance voltage: ± 30 V
Lowest current ranges: ± 10 nA (± 100 pA with ECD module); Maximum current: ± 2 A
EIS: optional, up to 1 MHz or 10 MHz with ECI10M, optional
R(R)DE, RCE control
Analog and Digital I/O for external control

Details

Autolab compact line: AUT204

Single channel potentiostat/ galvanostat
Space saving compact solution
Compliance voltage: ± 20 V
Lowest current range: ± 10 nA; Maximum current: ± 400 mA
EIS: optional, up to 1 MHz
R(R)DE, RCE control
Analog and Digital I/O for external control

Details

Autolab Multichannel line: M204/M101

Multichannel potentiostat/galvanostats
Maximum throughput with versatility
Compliance voltage: ± 20 V (M204) and ± 10 V (M101)
Lowest current ranges: ± 10 nA; Maximum current: ± 400 mA (M204) and ± 100 mA (M101)
EIS: optional, up to 1 MHz
R(R)DE, RCE control
Analog and Digital I/O for external control

Details

Discover all Metrohm Autolab potentiostats galvanostats

INTELLO and NOVA corrosion-specific software features

Electrochemical Techniques and software features for corrosion studies:

Linear polarization (LP) procedure as part of an extended standard procedure library
EIS at open circuit potential (OCP), programmable at any time during the experiment
Normalized current density signal readily available in INTELLO
Electrochemical Noise (ECN, ZRA) measurements for galvanic coupling
Tafel analysis, Butler –Volmer fit & polarization resistance
Monitor the voltage on the counter electrode with the second sense (S2) or the pX1000 module
Selectable floating (on VIONIC), flexibility to connect to any type of grounded cells.
Ready-to-use standard ASTM procedures
Customizable cutoffs and rules the optimal workflow

Discover the INTELLO and NOVA software features

Corrosion-specific accessories

Corrosion Cells		Metrohm Autolab 1 L corrosion cell ASTM-compliant corrosion cell: thermostable, 1L electrolyte volume, 1 cm² exposed sample surface area PEEK sample holder with gold-coated contacts, suitable for corrosion samples with a diameter ranging from 14.7 mm to 16 mm and thickness from 0.5 mm up to 4 mm. Thermostatic jacket for temperature control and a series of openings for electrodes and other accessories Fits in the large Autolab Faraday cage Complete setup includes: a sample holder, counter and reference electrodes, thermometer, gas inlet and Luggin-Haber capillary
		Metrohm Autolab 400 mL corrosion cell Specially designed corrosion cell: thermostable, 400 mL electrolyte volume, 0.785 cm² exposed sample surface area Sample holder with gold coated contacts is made of Polyoxymethylene (POM) with a Viton seal and is designed to measure the corrosion properties of 14 mm diameter and 1 to 4 mm thick flat circular samples immersed in the electrolyte Thermostatic jacket for temperature control and a series of openings for electrodes and other accessories Fits in the large Autolab Faraday cage Complete setup includes: a sample holder, counter and reference electrodes, thermometer, gas inlet and Luggin-Haber capillary
		Metrohm Autolab 250 mL corrosion cell Specially designed corrosion cell: thermostable, 250 mL electrolyte volume, 1 cm² exposed sample surface area PEEK sample holder with gold coated contacts, suitable for corrosion samples with a diameter ranging from 14.7 mm to 16 mm and thickness from 0.5 mm up to 4 mm. Samples and sample holder compatible with the ASTM compliant 1L corrosion cell Fits in the large Autolab Faraday cage Complete setup includes: a sample holder, counter and reference electrodes, thermometer and gas inlet, corrosion resistant support with rod
		Metrohm Autolab Flat Platform cell for corrosion Specialized corrosion cell for large, flat samples: 50 mL electrolyte volume, 17 cm² exposed sample surface area PVC Sample platform with Viton O-ring seal, with direct sample contact through standard 4 mm banana plugs Fits in the Autolab Faraday cages Complete setup includes: a PVC platform, counter and reference electrodes, gas inlet
		Metrohm Autolab Flat cell for corrosion Specialized corrosion cell for flat samples with 5-7 cm diameter: 50 mL electrolyte volume, 17 cm² exposed sample surface area PVC Sample and cell holder with direct sample contact through standard 4 mm banana plugs Fits in the Autolab Faraday cages Complete setup includes: a PVC holder, counter and reference electrodes, gas inlet
Hydrogen permeation cell		Hydrogen permeation cell Specialized electrochemical cell for hydrogen permeation testing and other measurements using membranes Two separate electrochemical compartments (250 mL) with PTFE lids featuring holes of different diameters to accommodate different electrode types Quick and convenient assembly: the sample (metal or ion exchange membrane) is placed between the two compartments, fixed and sealed securely with stainless steel clamps and O-ring seals for leak-free operation. A wide range of electrodes are available optionally.
Hydrodynamic measurements		Metrohm Autolab Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE) complete setup Compatible with 3 mm and 5 mm diameter disk electrodes, ideal for advanced electrochemical research with measurements under controlled hydrodynamic conditions Wide rotation speed range: 100 – 10000 rpm with 1 rpm resolution, manual or software integrated control Ultra clean and ultra-low noise achieved with frictionless liquid (Hg) contact ensuring pristine signal quality for sensitive experiments Seamlessly integrates with Metrohm cell vessels and other standard electrochemical cells. Complete setup includes: Motor controller, rotator, rotating disk electrode, and connection cable for integration with Autolab potentiostats
Hydrodynamic measurements		Metrohm Autolab Rotating Cylinder Electrode (RCE) complete setup Essential tool for accurate corrosion rate determination, inhibitor efficiency testing, and comprehensive flow regime studies in various industries Corrosion measurements for pipe flow conditions allowing rigorous flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) studies and hydrodynamic electrochemical analysis Highest rotation rate (up to 5000 rpm) combined with the 12 mm outer diameter cylinder electrode enables the simulation of the widest array of pipe flow conditions in your lab achieving simulated flow rates 50% higher than other commercial RCEs Ultra clean and ultra-low noise achieved with frictionless liquid (Hg) contact ensuring pristine signal quality for sensitive experiments Complete setup includes: Motor controller, rotator, rotating cylinder electrode, and connection cable for integration with Autolab potentiostats
Working electrodes		Metrohm Autolab Cylinder electrode Cylindrical electrode (8 mm high, 12 mm OD), easily mounted without tools into a PEEK holder and sealed with two Viton washers to prevent electrolyte leakage Enables simulation of a wide range of realistic pipe flow conditions directly in the lab Carbon Steel (1018) and Stainless Steel (304) samples are available. Technical drawings are provided, allowing you to produce and use your own cylindrical inserts for inhibitor efficiency testing and comprehensive flow regime studies Directly compatible with the Autolab RDE rotator for hydrodynamic experiments Conveniently used in static conditions with a pin connector (M4) and an electrode shaft with integrated 4 mm banana connector
Faraday cage		Autolab Faraday Cage Provides optimal electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for sensitive electrochemical experiments, especially when measuring small signals Effectively blocks unwanted interference signals, ensuring the integrity of your experimental results With earth terminal inside the cage for easy and direct grounding to your Autolab potentiostat Spacious design for corrosion cells, Autolab R(R)DE rotator, Autolab Optical bench to fit inside the large Faraday cage Available in 2 different sizes : (WxDxH) 38x21x38 cm³ or 38x30x60 cm³