Acid Dissolution of Films
Definition
Acid dissolution is the chemical destruction of passive films when low pH protonates the metal oxide layer and converts it into soluble species. Passive films are stable only within a narrow pH window.
As pH drops, hydrogen ions protonate the oxide and a film that took weeks or months to form can dissolve in minutes, with damage persisting long after pH is restored. Acids also increase corrosion potential by accelerating anodic reactions, compounding the loss. This is why transient acid exposure is so dangerous.
Related concepts
Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry