A method for the early detection of electrochemical corrosion and coating degradation utilizing an inexpensive, in situ electrochemical metallic sensor for sensing coating and material degradation, particularly for materials such as aluminum 2024-T3, 7075, 6061, cold rolled steel samples, and coated metal structures such as automobiles, bridges, aircraft, and ships has been developed. The sensor utilizes AC Impedance or Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） to acquire a precise, low-frequency impedance signature and is comprised of conductive ink deposited on a coating in the shape of the outline of a quadrilateral or other configuration. The resulting apparatus is comprised of a coated, metallic coupon used as a sensor, while a metallic grid electrode is deposited onto the steel coupon, thereby eliminating the need for a remote or counter electrode （i.e., reduction from a traditional, three-electrode system to a two-electrode system）。 Relying on the relatively lower impedance of the metallic grid electrode versus the coated metal, the electrodes are able to demonstrate a lower, interfacial impedance than the three-electrode testing system. This two-electrode approach eliminates the need for an electrolyte use in conventional, three-electrode AC Impedance testing and enables in-situ analyses of metallic and/or coating systems.

 

　　

　　一种用于电化学腐蚀和涂层劣化早期检测方法，用于检测涂层和材料的降解，特别是对于材料，如铝2024-T3,7075,6061,冷轧钢试样，并利用一种廉价的，原位电化学传感器对涂覆金属结构，例如汽车，桥梁，飞机，船舶等的检测方法已被开发出来。该传感器利用交流阻抗或电化学阻抗谱（EIS），以获得一个精确的，低频率的阻抗信号，并包括沉积在涂层中的四边形或其它结构的轮廓的形状上的导电性涂料。所得到的装置包括涂覆，金属试片作为传感器，金属栅电极沉积在钢试样，从而省去了一个远程或反电极（即，从传统的三电极系统还原到双电极系统）。由于金属栅电极相对于涂层金属相对较低的阻抗，电极是能够表现比三电极测试系统更低的界面阻抗。