Protective coating systems for corrosive environments normally include a zinc rich primer. In the past
decade mainly zinc epoxy primers have been applied on offshore constructions in the Norwegian
sector. Zinc rich primers improve the corrosion creep resistance of organic coating systems, and the
effect is believed to be due to cathodic protection of the substrate. In order for the zinc rich primer to
provide cathodic protection the zinc particles must be electrochemically active and in electrical contact
with the substrate. However, the epoxy binder may insulate the zinc from the substrate and may also
protect the zinc from oxidation. In this work electrochemical properties of zinc epoxy primers have been
investigated: Capacity for cathodic protection of the substrate and electrical contact between the zinc
particles through the film. The electrochemical properties are correlated with results from cyclic
corrosion creep testing.