Potentiodynamic and Cyclic Polarization Scans
Introduction
A quite popular experiment performed with Gamry
Instruments’ potentiostats is the Potentiodynamic Scan
and its sibling, Cyclic Polarization. These experiments
are often used to study corrosion at a surface. This
Application Note examines these two types of
experiments. See our Application Note “Getting Started
with Electrochemical Corrosion Measurement” for the
basics. Potentiodynamic scans are discussed in the
ASTM G59 standard, while cyclic polarization scans are
discussed in the ASTM G61 standard.
Potentiodynamic Method
In this type of scan, the potential drives the reaction at
the anode or cathode. What we observe is the overall
change in the rate of reaction (the current). That is, the
potentiostat records the applied current to the cell that
provides the increase in potential. The potential where
the total anodic current equals the total cathodic current
is the open-circuit potential (Eoc). (See Figure 1.)
Fig. 1. Corrosion process showing anodic and cathodic
components of total current.
The potential is swept across a range and the current is
measured. For an anodic scan, researchers often start
slightly cathodic of the open-circuit potential, and for a
cathodic scan, the starting point is often slightly anodic.
Cyclic Polarization Method
A cyclic polarization scan is performed like a
potentiodynamic scan, but with an addition: the voltage
is swept across a range, but then reversed back to the
starting potential. This allows a return to the original
potential. The surface is likely to be changed by the
reactions during the scan, so often the data from the
return voltage sweep do not superimpose upon the data
from the forward sweep.
Scanning Parameters
The ASTM method recommends a scan rate of 0.1667
mV/s. Faster scan rates often result in distorted data,
because the sample cannot remain relatively stable.
Data
A typical set of potentiodynamic data may be plotted
like this (Figure 2):
Fig. 2. Potentiodynamic scan of 430 stainless steel alloy
in 1 N H2SO4.
Interestingly, the independent variable (potential) is
plotted on the vertical axis, while the dependent
variable (measured current) is on the horizontal axis.
This scan of a stainless-steel sample in sulfuric acid can
be interpreted as follows:
 Figure 5 demonstrates no pitting:

Fig. 5. Cyclic polarization showing no pitting.

Fig. 3. Various important potentials, currents, and
regions indicated by colors, from Fig. 2.
Another cyclic polarization plot (Figure 6) reveals pitting
without repassivation:
As the voltage is increased from about –550 mV, the
current drops in the cathodic region (purple) to a
minimum at the Ecorr, then rises again in the activity
region (green) where oxidation of the metal occurs. A
maximum is reached at the passivation potential, Epp.
The current drops again in the transition region (yellow)
and then remains at a fairly constant, low level in the
passivity region (pink). Breakdown of the surface, which
may be pitting or dissolution at the surface, initiates just
above 600 mV.
Note the area around Ecorr, which is similar to the Fig. 6. Cyclic polarization showing pitting without
(expanded) idealized view in Figure 1. repassivation.
Gamry Instruments’ potentiostats are sensitive enough to
detect current down to picoamperes, as shown in Figure
Yet another cyclic polarization data set (Figure 7) with
4.
pitting and repassivation:

Fig. 4. Low-current potentiodynamic sweep of

austentitic stainless steel in de-aerated seawater using a Fig. 7. Pitting and repassivation seen in a sample
Gamry Instruments Reference 600+™. undergoing cyclic polarization.

In Figure 4, there is no major electrochemical activity on

the sample itself—most likely this is just oxidation of
water.
As mentioned earlier, the electrochemical changes in
these scans can result in permanent or destructive
alterations in the sample’s surface. Cyclic polarization
scans show examples of this.
Conclusion
Potentiodynamic and cyclic polarization scans have the
ability to illuminate a variety of corrosion-related
phenomena, using Gamry Instruments potentiostats.
Application Note Potentiodynamic and Cyclic Polarization Scans Rev.
1.0 6/18/2019 © Copyright 2019 Gamry Instruments, Inc. Interface,
Reference, and Framework are trademarks of Gamry Instruments, Inc.

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