Assessment of steel corrosion and deadhesion of epoxy barrier paint by scanning Kelvin probe

Abstract Marine paints are complex polymeric systems containing layers of different nature that significantly delay the corrosion failures. In order to obtain a rapid ranking in the corrosion protection provided by the paints, it is important to apply sensitive and non-invasive methods for early detection of under paint corrosion. Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) was used to determine the mechanism(s) of corrosion and paint de-adhesion. This technique is sensitive to the metal-polymer interface and gives a quick assessment of cathodic delamination or anodic undermining. Depending on the type of exposure the mode of corrosion de-adhesion was evaluated and compared with SKP data obtained under polarization experiments by impressed current in aqueous electrolyte. After exposure, pull off test and Scanning Electron Microscopy – Energy Dispersive X ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDX technique) were applied to determine the paint adhesion stability around the defect and to analyse the steel-paint interface.