The behavior of corrosion products on zinc was examined by cathodic polarization in sodium chloride solution. The type and amount of zinc compound contained in corrosion products were determined from cyclic cathodic polarization curves. In order to evaluate the barrier effect of the corrosion product layer, a new function of compactness of the corrosion layer, C, was introduced. The formation of basic zinc chloride enhanced the compactness of the corrosion layer and a new function of compactness was useful to evaluate the barrier effect of the corrosion layer for oxygen diffusion.