Computational simulation of multi-pit corrosion process in materials

Corrosion is one of the most damaging mechanisms in many engineering materials and structures. A computational model that simulates the multi-pit corrosion damage initiation and growth in aircraft aluminum is developed. The computational model based on cellular automata approach uses the local rules governing the electrochemical reactions, and simulates them as a discrete dynamical system. The results of corrosion damage initiation and growth obtained from simulation are compared qualitatively as well as quantitatively to the experimental data obtained on engineered corrosion specimens from Raytheon Systems Company, Texas. The effect of various electrochemical parameters on the multi-pit corrosion initiation and growth obtained from the simulation are presented and discussed. The results presented illustrate the feasibility of the new cellular automata approach to model multi-pit corrosion damage initiation and growth in aircraft aluminum materials.