The capability of Kelvin probe force microscopy (KFM) to detect and locate hydrogen in corroded 2024 aluminium alloy was demonstrated. Hydrogen was introduced inside the 2024 alloy following a cyclic corrosion test consisting of cycles of immersion in 1 M NaCl solution followed by exposure to air at -20 degrees C. The combination of scanning electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry and KFM demonstrated that the grain and subgrain boundaries were preferential pathways for the short-circuit diffusion of hydrogen but also acted as a source of hydrogen diffusion in the lattice over distances of up to ten microns with non-negligible desorption when exposed to air at room temperature for 24 h. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.