EIS evaluation of the filiform corrosion of aluminium coated by a cataphoretic paint

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to study the sensitivity to filiform corrosion. The operating mode of this test is similar to the normalized one. The samples were scratched before inoculation for 1 h in HCl and then exposed to the humidity chamber for a maximum of 4 days. The samples were tested by EIS in an acidified 0.1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte solution. The resulting impedance spectra were analyzed with an appropriate equivalent electrical circuit which allows the evaluation of the exposed metallic surface area, directly related to the extent of filiform corrosion or delamination. Different parameters were varied: the exposure time in the humidity chamber; the immersion time in the electrolyte sulphate solution as well as its pH and the coating thickness.