What Does
Rotating Cylinder Electrode (RCE) Mean?
A rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) is a piece of equipment used to measure the corrosion rate in materials subjected to flowing liquids. RCEs are typically part of a three-electrode system that consists of a rotating electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. The rotating cylindrical electrode stirs the fluid against the reference and counter electrodes. The equipment then measures specific parameters with respect to the flow rate of the liquid.
Corrosionpedia Explains Rotating Cylinder Electrode (RCE)
Liquid flow rates can affect the corrosion rates of metals in some environments. This can be due to several mechanisms, including the mass transfer of reactants or impingement of fluid or slurry particles on the surface. Therefore, controlled-flow laboratory tests, such as with a rotating cylinder electrode (RCE), are useful for studying the effects of flow-assisted corrosion (FAC). The results from RCE tests are valuable for assessing cathodic protection systems, corrosion inhibitors and protective coatings.
One of the main benefits of using RCE equipment is its ability to evaluate the effects of fluid velocity on corrosion while requiring relatively small amounts of test liquid. RCE is also renowned for its ability to generate uniform flow, controlled mass transport rates and uniform current distribution.