This presentation will focus on the use of ion exchange compounds such bentonite, montmorillonite and hydrotalcite as corrosion inhibiting pigments in organic coatings. Results showing how the use of these pigments leads to a form of corrosion sensing will also be discussed. Corrosion inhibition derived from release of inhibiting anions from hydrotalcites, and inhibiting cations from bentonites and montmorillonites will be described. Relevant inhibitor release mechanisms and kinetics will be presented. Results from exposure and electrochemical tests illustrating the components of corrosion protection and the overall level of corrosion protection by ion exchange-pigmented coatings will be given. The exchange inhibiting ions in these compounds leads to predictable changes in the x-ray diffraction pattern of the pigment. The prospects for using x-ray diffraction as a tool for early indications of coating breakdown and substrate corrosion will be addressed.