What type of corrosion is defined as localized deterioration of a material?

Pitting corrosion is characterized by the localized deterioration of a material, often resulting in small holes or pits on the surface of the metal. This type of corrosion can be particularly dangerous because it might not be immediately visible and can lead to structural failure with very little overall metal loss. Pitting is often caused by factors such as the presence of chlorides or other aggressive ions that can lead to localized breakdown of the protective oxide film on metal surfaces, allowing for accelerated degradation in those specific areas.

The other types of corrosion mentioned are different in their nature; for example, galvanic corrosion occurs when two different metals are in electrical contact in a conductive environment, leading to the uneven deterioration of the more anodic metal. Uniform corrosion, on the other hand, involves a more uniform and widespread attack on the surface of the material, causing consistent thinning over its entire area rather than localized pockets of damage. Intergranular corrosion specifically affects the grain boundaries of a metal, which can also lead to significant material loss, but again does not resemble the concentrated nature of pitting corrosion.