Initiation and Study of Localized Corrosion by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

This paper describes methods to study the initiation and formation of localized corrosion pits on stainless–steel and aluminum samples. These methods are based on the use of a scanned probe microscope, the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). The SECM is specifically designed for operation in electrolyte solution and so is uniquely suited for examination of corrosion processes. SECM imaging of a corrosion pit on stainless steel is presented. In addition, the initiation of single pits on aluminum and stainless steel by using the SECM tip to electrogenerate a local source of Cl– is described