The effect of temperature on the composition of the corrosion film on iron in aqueous sodium hydroxide and berate solutions was investigated using surface enhanced Raman spectroelectrochemistry (SERS). Fe(OH)(2) and Fe3O4 were observed in the prepassivation region, while Fe3O4 and FeOOH accounted for most of the passivated film at 25, 60 and 95 degrees C. Fe(OH)(2) was found to be a stable component of the corrosion film on iron at 95 degrees C, which is contrary to recently published theoretical calculations.