Define "pitting susceptibility."

Pitting susceptibility specifically refers to the tendency of a material, often a metal, to develop small, localized pits when it undergoes corrosion. This phenomenon occurs when the protective oxide layer on the surface of a material is damaged, leading to localized corrosion that manifests as small holes or pits. These pits can significantly weaken the integrity of the material over time, making understanding and assessing pitting susceptibility crucial in fields like corrosion engineering and materials science.

Understanding pitting susceptibility is essential because it helps predict how a material will behave in corrosive environments, allowing for better material selection and protective measures in applications where corrosion is a concern. This definition underscores the importance of localized corrosion mechanisms and the factors that can lead to their initiation and propagation.