Theoretical Basis for the Determination of Corrosion Rates from Polarisation Resistance: Report prepared for the European Federation of Corrosion Working Party on ‘Physicochemical Testing Methods of Corrosion—Fundamentals and Application’

The polarisation resistance method is extensively used for corrosion rate measurement. This paper considers the theoretical conditions which must be satisfied in the measurement of polarisation resistance and the limitations of the applicability of the method in relation to the properties of the electrolyte, the kinetics of the anodic and cathodic processes, and the surface condition of the corroding metal.