The surface properties of nickel and copper alloys exposed to simulated French Callovo-Oxfordien ground-water (aerated and CO2-saturated solutions) have been evaluated from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in conjunction with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The kinetic reactions and physical properties of the layers grown on the alloy's surfaces, change versus the Ni content in the alloys and the presence of CO2 in the solution. Nickel alloys retain favourable passive properties in such environments, whereas oxide products on copper alloys are insufficiently protective when formed in the absence of dissolved oxygen in the electrolyte. A maximum addition of 30 wt% of copper in nickel alloys provides good results with respect to corrosion resistance. Electrochemical measurements allow discriminating behaviour between oxide layers maintained by diffusion phenomena through layer and passive films which are maintained from migration phenomena. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.