Common corrosive agents such as acids, salts, and moisture are responsible for what type of corrosion?

Corrosive agents like acids, salts, and moisture lead to electrochemical attack, which is a type of corrosion where an electrochemical reaction occurs. This process typically involves the flow of electricity in a circuit formed by the metal, an electrolyte (which is often moisture), and different regions of the same metal surface which can have varying levels of reactivity. For example, when moisture is present, it can facilitate the movement of ions, which allows electrons to flow between anode and cathode sites on the metal surface, leading to deterioration.

Electrochemical attack is particularly common in environments where metals are exposed to water and salts, such as in marine and industrial settings. This type of corrosion is different from mechanical attack, which involves physical wear, chemical attack that primarily involves direct interaction of corrosive substances without the need for electrochemical processes, and microbial attack which involves biofilm formation by living microorganisms. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for aerospace assembly mechanics to predict and mitigate corrosion in aircraft structures and components.