Corrosion Onset Detection Sensor

Current methods for the detection of corrosion under protection schemes (such as paints, sealants, or attached coverings) rely on the methods to interrogate through the paint, sealant, or covering. These methods are largely manual and are time-consuming, costly to perform and not applicable if the covering is thick (which is the case with adhesively bonded tiles). A superior method would be to use an in situ sensing mechanism that is easily interrogated and is sensitive to the first onset of corrosion. Other critical considerations are that the sensor must be sensitive to corrosion over a wide area, not just locally, and the sensor must not interfere with or compromise the function of the system applied to the surface. The wire-based sensor presented in this paper offers a partial solution to these challenges.