Corrosion due to differential aeration reconsidered

By analysing current-potential curves, it is shown that, conversely to what is generally thought, differential aeration does not intrinsically cause a ccelerated corrosion of metals. Based on this finding, a reason for this pr obably general misconception in the scientific literature is sought. Finall y, a possible explanation for macroscopic corrosion phenomena that are know n to occur under circumstances of local oxygen depletion is formulated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.