What is "localized corrosion"?

Localized corrosion refers specifically to the type of corrosion that occurs in concentrated areas rather than being distributed evenly across the entire surface of a material. This concentrated attack can lead to significant material degradation in specific spots, which increases the risk of catastrophic failure. For instance, pitting corrosion is a classic example of localized corrosion where small pits form on the surface, creating weak points that can lead to structural failure if not detected in time. In many cases, localized corrosion can be more dangerous than uniform corrosion because it may not be immediately detectable until the material reaches a critical point of weakness.

In contrast to the other descriptions, uniform corrosion affects the entire surface area evenly, making it less likely to lead to sudden failures as the material degrades uniformly. The notion of temperature-induced corrosion refers to a separate mechanism, while the idea that corrosion only affects the interior of a metal structure overlooks the potential for exterior surface attacks, which can be localized as well. Therefore, the focus on specific areas leading to failure aligns perfectly with the definition of localized corrosion.