The corrosion behavior of brass in 0.1 M NaCl was investigated with voltametric technique. For comparison the behaviors of pure components of the alloy was investigated under the same condition. Evaluation of the solution analysis with the voltametric curves shows that initial dissolution takes place at about -1.0 V (SCE) as ZnO and zinc ions. The dissolution of copper as ions is prevented by the exchange reaction between them. This prevention continues up to CuCl formation potential. Even in the passivity region of brass, dissolution of zinc continues with anodic polarization. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.