A high-sensitivity scanning magnetometer based on the giant magneto-impedance effect for measuring local magnetic fields of corrosion currents

Abstract

The design, main characteristics, and specific features of a new high-sensitivity magnetometer based on the giant magneto-impedance (GMI) effect in amorphous ferromagnetic microwires are considered. It is shown that, in addition to measuring homogeneous fields, the device is capable of detecting weak local magnetic fields of conduction currents and ion currents involved in corrosion processes. Results of in situ magnetic measurements of corrosion processes in the model system of copper–zinc in a sulfuric acid solution qualitatively agree with the data of direct corrosion tests employing the standard gravimetric method.