Concept of the Occluded Corrosion Cell

It is proposed that the various localized forms of corrosion (pitting, stress corrosion cracking, intergranular corrosion, crevice corrosion, filiform corrosion, tuberculation, and exfoliation) have the common feature of local acidification by hydrolysis. The acidity is viewed as having a responsible role in the self-perpetuating character of these corrosion forms. Three possible benefits of this rationale are offered.