This editorial is inspired by the previous editorials of Frank LaQue (May, 1979) and Morris Cohen (October, 1978) who express themselves in favor of understanding corrosion processes, but who warn against expecting too much from modern scientific approaches, such as electrochemical and surface analysis techniques. I appreciate the validity of several points they make; I would, however, emphasize more than they do that what one can expect from modern scientific techniques sensitively depends on the level of understanding that has been achieved by those active in the corrosion field. Based on past experience, I am optimistic that what is new, especially in surface science, will eventually find application to the solution of many corrosion problems. Corrosion processes in general are only advanced formulations of what is called the physics and chemistry (including electrochemistry) of solid surfaces.
To appreciate my grounds for optimism, I have only to review some of the...
