Electrochemical Study of the Corrosion of Metals in Contact with Preservative-Treated Wood

Abstract An electrochemical study has been made of the corrosion of iron, zinc, and copper in contact with copper-chromium-arsenic (CCA) preservative-treated pinus radiata as a function of treatment level and moisture content. The techniques used were AC impedance, linear polarization, and weight loss measurements. They reveal that the corrosion rate is probably diffusion controlled and below 22 wt% of water, dependent on the moisture content. The results also indicate that there is probably a relationship between the corrosion rate and degree of preservative loading.