| Abstract: | In studies of pitting corrosion, there is often a need for monitoring the size of growing pits in situ as well as the need for a rapid assessment of the extent of pitting damage ex situ on a large number of test specimens. The well-known method of determining surface roughness by diffuse light scattering has been adapted to satisfy both needs. In situ measurements with aluminium alloys immersed in NaCl solutions indicate that early stages of pit propagation can be monitored accurately. Furthermore, measurements on pre-pitted aluminium show that the technique is suitable for rapid, quantitative determinations of a pitted area up to a fraction of 40%. |
