Full definition
Degradation of a metallic material through chemical or electrochemical reaction with its environment. Types: general (uniform, rate in mm/year), galvanic (two dissimilar metals in electrolyte), pitting, intergranular, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and erosion-corrosion. Leading cause of structural and infrastructure failure. Control methods: coatings, material selection, cathodic protection, inhibitors.