Abstract:Wavelet transforms(WT) are proposed as an alternative tool to overcome the limitations of fast Fourier transforms(FFT) in the analysis of electrochemical noise(EN) data. The most relevant feature of this method of analysis is its capability of decomposing electrochemical noise records into different sets of wavelet coefficients(distinct type of events), which contains information about the time scale characteristic of the associated corrosion event. In this context, the potential noise fluctuations during the free corrosion of commercial aluminum alloy LY12 in sodium chloride solution was recorded and analyzed with wavelet transform technique. The typical results show that the EN signal is composed of distinct type of events, which can be classified according to their scales, i.e. their time constants. Meanwhile, the energy distribution plot(EDP) can be used as “fingerprints” of EN signals and can be very useful for analyzing EN data in the future. 

Key words:  electrochemical noise; wavelet analysis; fourier transforms; corrosion; aluminum alloy 2024-T3