The diffuse reflectance IR technique has permitted the study of corrosion products to be carried out in a very simple manner. The products formed in the presence of aggressive anions such as chlorides and sulfates were studied. The advantage of this technique was the fact that the products could be studied while intact on the specimen and thus not requiring sample preparation and avoiding interferences that can occur during sample preparations. The technique is also relatively easier and less costly compared to other techniques such as ESCA. © 1990, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.