The effects of relative humidity on the initial atmospheric corrosion of zinc during drying of chloride-contained absorbed thin electrolyte layer was investigated by mass loss, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cathodic polarization curves, pre-Tafel polarization curves fitting method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the zinc corrosion rate decreased with increasing relative humidity in the first 2 h. After 72 h of exposure, the corrosion rates of zinc were ranked as: 75% RH < 85% RH < 97% RH. And the morphology of corrosion products at 75% RH appeared more compact than that of 85% and 97% RH. (C) 2013 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.