Scanning Kelvin Probe for detection of the hydrogen induced by atmospheric corrosion of ultra-high strength steel

•Scanning Kelvin Probe was applied in situ to visualize and to monitor the hydrogen distribution in ultra-high strength steel during atmospheric corrosion.•Corrosion of the steel creates the hydrogen sources at anodic locations.•The developing of the hydrogen flux from the corroding edge of galvanized high strength steel was monitored.•The hydrogen diffusivity was determined using modelling by Fick’s laws. Scanning Kelvin probe is applied “in situ” to study the hydrogenation of high strength steel, with and without electrogalvanized zinc layer, and a foil of pure iron. SKP visualizes the hydrogen flux from corroding location at the reverse face in real time. Hydrogen is produced during atmospheric corrosion and decreases the Volta potential at the location of emerging due to the reduction of iron species in the oxide film. It is shown that the sources of hydrogen are anodic locations. Different SKP based setups are applied to determine the hydrogen diffusivity and distribution in the steel, in the vicinity to corroding surface.