Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques have been used to study passive layers anodically grown on steel rebars in an aqueous alkaline solution simulating the electrolyte of the concrete pores. Nyquist diagrams recorded by EIS at the different stabilization potentials show a diffusional tail at low frequencies. The analysis of the impedance measurements has been made by means of an equivalent circuit with a Warburg component and within the framework of the point defect model (PDM) theory. It is observed that the calculated concentration of vacancies is a function of the potential in accordance with the theoretical prediction of the PDM. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.