Perturbation method analysis of AC-induced corrosion

A nonlinear model for corrosion of metals subjected to alternating voltage (AV) induced corrosion that includes the elements corresponding to the polarization resistance, the double layer capacitance and the solution resistance is developed. The results show that corrosion of materials under AC conditions is greatly enhanced by the peak potential and by an increase in the ratio of the anodic-to-cathodic Tafel slope. The AC-induced corrosion rate: (i) decreases with the frequency of the applied signal and with an increase in the DC corrosion potential, (ii) is independent of the DC corrosion rate, and (iii) increases with the peak potentials of the AV signal.