A positively charged ion that migrates through the electrolyte toward the cathode under the influence of a potential gradient. See also anion and ion.

The current flowing to or from a unit area of an electrode surface, generally expressed as amps per sq ft or milliamperes per sq ft (also milliamps per sq cm, etc).

A process involving conjoint corrosion and cavitation.

Foreign substance which comes from the environment, adhering to a surface of a material

The destruction of adhesion between a coating and the surface coated.

A cell developed in an electrolyte resulting from electrical contact between two dissimilar metals. See galvanic corrosion.

A pair of dissimilar conductors, commonly metals, in electrical contact. See also galvanic corrosion.

The ratio of the electrochemical equivalent current density for a specific reaction to the total applied current density.

(1) A reaction in which there is an increase in valence resulting from a loss of electrons. Contrast with reduction. (2) A corrosion reaction in which the corroded metal forms an oxide; usually applied to reaction with a gas containing elemental oxygen, s ...

A substance that produces depolarization.

Separation of a solid accompanied by little or no macroscopic plastic deformation. Typically, brittle fracture occurs by rapid crack propagation with less expenditure of energy than for ductile fracture.

See chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition and sputtering.

A thin, tightly adhering oxide skin (only a few molecules thick) that forms when steel is tempered at a low temperature, or for a short time, in air or a mildly oxidizing atmosphere. The color, which ranges from straw to blue depending on the thickness of ...

The number of cycles of stress that can be sustained prior to failure under a stated test condition.

The rate of crack extension caused by constant-amplitude fatigue loading, expressed in terms of crack extension per cycle of load application.

Removing the thick layer of oxides formed on some metals at elevated temperatures.

In austenitic stainless steels the precipitation of chromium carbides, usually at grain boundaries, on exposure to temperatures of about 550 to 850

Numerous, very fine cracks in a coating or at the surface of a metal part. Checks may appear during processing or during service and are most often associated with thermal treatment or thermal cycling. Also called check marks. checking, or heat checks.

The maximum current density that can be used to obtain a desired electrode reaction without undue interference such as from polarization.

A decrease in the polarization of an electrode; the elimination or reduction of polarization by physical or chemical means; depolarization results in increased corrosion.