Coupled multielectrode investigation of crevice corrosion of AISI 316 stainless steel

Close packed coupled multielectrode arrays simulating a planar electrode were used to measure the current evolution as a function of position during initiation and propagation of crevice corrosion of AISI 316 stainless steel. Scaling laws derived from polarization data guided the implementation of rescaled crevices providing spatial resolution. Crevice corrosion of AISI 316 stainless steel in 0.6 M NaCl at 50 degrees C was found to initiate close to the crevice mouth and to spread inward and outward with time. The local crevice current density increased dramatically over a short period to reach a limiting value. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.