The Electromotive Force (EMF) Series in which elements are listed in order of their potential relative to a Standard Hydrogen Electrode is replaced in the corrosion field with the Galvanic Series. In the Galvanic Series, elements are listed in order of the potential they develop in a solution relative to a reference electrode, usually the Saturated Calomel Electrode (SCE). The solution used for the practical galvanic series is flowing seawater, however, since the potential developed is a function of the solution, galvanic series can be developed for different solutions.

The potential an electrode develops relative to a reference electrode in a solution is a function of the surface condition of the metal and the composition of the solution and is referred to as the Corrosion Potential or the Open Circuit Potential. It is this potential and the effect of variations from it that is central to the electrochemical techniques described here.

Several electrochemical techniques are useful in corrosion studies. Some of those available at Exova are potentiodynamic polarization curves and linear polarization measurements.