Influence of the alloying elements on pitting corrosion of stainless steels: A modeling approach

Modeling of corrosion pit chemistry in applied polarization mode is carried out using finite element method calculations. The results lead to the formulation of critical conditions for pit stabilization in terms of the pit geometry and the applied potential. More detailed computing is performed to compare the behavior of both ferritic and austenitic stainless steels. The results fairly predict the beneficial effects of nickel on pitting resistance of 304 stainless steels, attributed to nickel-induced changes in dissolution laws.