Abstract
Voltammetric techniques (open circuit potential, linear polarisation resistance and cyclic
voltammetry) have been applied to study the corrosion of carbon steel in water. The study has
been performed in aqueous solutions for pH ranging between 7 and 12 in the presence of
chlorides, sulphates, carbonates, nitrites and nitrates. Principal component analysis (PCA) was
performed with the cyclic voltammetric data. Values of corrosion potential and corrosion current
obtained with traditional methods are compared to the conclusions arisen by the PCA. These
results show the ability of PCA for the evaluation and diagnosis of corrosion processes and not
only that, it leads to the possibility of using steel working electrodes as ion sensors.
