Note: Measuring dezincification of brass by Schottky barrier diodes formed between semiconductor corrosion products and brass.

A newly developed method is presented for measuring dezincification on the surface of brass from a consideration of the forward and reverse bias potential drop across a Schottky barrier diode formed between n-type zinc oxide or p-type copper (I) oxide corrosion products and the brass substrate. Electrical connection to the corrosion product is made with zinc and platinum tipped probes, approximately 1 mm diameter. Comparison with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows the difference between the forward and reverse bias potential drop to be dependent on the relative abundance of the corrosion products and the work function of the metal probe. This difference, for a zinc tipped probe, gives a statistically significant correlation to the surface zinc to copper ratio and the degree of dezincification. Details of the setup, operation, and testing of a portable instrument designed to measure dezincification of brass by this method are given.