ISO 17093:2015

Overview

ISO 17093:2015 – Corrosion of metals and alloys - Guidelines for corrosion test by electrochemical noise measurements provides internationally recognized guidelines for conducting corrosion testing using electrochemical noise (EN) measurements. This standard supports users in selecting, executing, and analyzing EN measurement techniques for both uncoated and organically coated metal samples. ISO 17093:2015 is relevant for a wide range of industrial sectors, research institutions, and laboratories concerned with the assessment of corrosion behavior and the performance of protective coatings on metals and their alloys.

Key Topics

Electrochemical Noise (EN) Measurements

• Definition: EN refers to low-frequency, low-amplitude fluctuations in current and potential generated by electrochemical processes at the metal-electrolyte interface.
• Applicable Materials: Guidance covers both bare metals and metals with organic coatings.
• Measurement Configurations: Various test setups, including potentiostatic, galvanostatic, and open-circuit measurements, suitable for different corrosion phenomena and test objectives.

Instrumentation and Measurement Methods

• Instrument Requirements: Specifies characteristics such as high input impedance for voltage measurements and precise current sensitivity, especially for coated specimens.
• Grounding & Shielding: Emphasizes the importance of correct system grounding and electromagnetic shielding to minimize measurement noise and interference.
• Signal Processing: Outlines best practices for data acquisition, filtering, anti-aliasing, and digitization to ensure accurate and reliable EN data.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Time Domain Analysis: Examines transient features, means, variances, and noise resistance to characterize corrosion processes, particularly for localized corrosion events like pitting.
• Frequency Domain Analysis: Involves evaluating power spectral density (PSD) to identify the frequency characteristics of corrosion-related noise components.
• Noise Resistance (Rn): Used as a critical parameter for assessing coatings and estimating relative corrosion rates where applicable.

Test Procedure and Reporting

• Step-by-Step Test Setup: Includes test cell preparation, specimen conditioning, measurement execution, and environmental controls.
• Quality Assurance: Encourages assessment of background instrument noise using dummy cells and recommends validation procedures for measurement accuracy.
• Comprehensive Reporting: Lists required elements of test reports for reproducibility and traceability, such as specimen details, solution characteristics, measurement parameters, and result plots.

Applications

ISO 17093:2015 supports:

• Corrosion Risk Assessment: Enables reliable detection and monitoring of various forms of corrosion, such as pitting, crevice, and general corrosion, under laboratory and field conditions.
• Coatings Evaluation: Assists in ranking and validating the performance of corrosion-protective organic coatings on metal substrates by comparing EN responses.
• Material Selection: Facilitates comparative studies for material and coating selection in design and maintenance of infrastructure, industrial equipment, and transport systems.
• Process Optimization: Supports research and development by providing methodology for monitoring corrosion dynamics and the effects of inhibitors.

Related Standards

Refer to these standards for complementary or supporting information:

• ISO 8044: Corrosion of metals and alloys - Basic terms and definitions, providing standardized corrosion terminology.
• ISO 17475: Corrosion of metals and alloys - Electrochemical test methods - Guidelines for conducting potentiostatic and potentiodynamic polarization measurements.
• Other industry-specific or materials-specific corrosion test standards may also be relevant depending on the application context.

Following ISO 17093:2015 ensures that corrosion testing by electrochemical noise measurements is carried out with consistency, reliability, and international alignment, supporting effective corrosion prevention strategies and material durability assessment. For professionals concerned with metal integrity and coating performance, adopting this standard enhances the validity and comparability of corrosion test results.