| Corrosion Probes (Sensors): One approach to corrosion monitoring is the use of the component/structure itself
for corrosion measurements. However, when this is not practical, separate corrosion probes
(sensors) can be installed for corrosion monitoring purposes. The use of sensors usually
facilitates the measurement of corrosion damage in a well-controlled manner over a
relatively small sensor area.
Advantages of using corrosion probes for
monitoring purposes include:
Corrosion measurements can be performed in a controlled manner, without
affecting the actual component/structure.
Probes usually represent small "samples" that can be
periodically removed from the main component/structure and examined in detail.
The above removal ability can facilitate the correlation of the sensor
signal with the nature of corrosion attack on the sensor.
Probes can be used to evaluate "what if" scenarios. What if we
change the material, surface finish, heat treatment, stress level, interrupt the CP system
... etc. ?
Highly sensitive corrosion measurements can be performed on sensors to
provide early warning of potential problems. Such techniques may not be fundamentally
applicable to the actual component/structure.
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Corrosion sensing systems have been classified into intrusive (invasive)
or non-intrusive (non-invasive) categories. In the
former, corrosion sensors "intrude" into a structure to access to the corrosive
environment directly.
When considering so-called smart structures, the distinction between
corrosion sensors and the structure itself tends to become blurred. Should a smart coating
that indicates corrosion damage be described as a corrosion sensor or as an integral part
of the structure ?
Meaningful sensors......
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