Abstract: The statistical characteristics of the current fluctuations during metastable pitting of 316L stainless steel in NaCl solution were studied using potentiostatic method. The growth rates and peak currents of metastable pits followed log-normal distributions. As potential and chloride concentration increased, both growth rate and peak current of metastable pits increased. The lifetime of metastable pits also followed log-normal distribution, and was almost not affected by potential. Higher growth rates did not definitely result in larger metastable pits. A certain propagation rate range was found beneficial for the micropit to remain growth. At constant potential, the maximum peak currents in different time intervals during a potentiostatic test followed extreme distribution. The statistical characteristics of metastable pitting may be used to predict the tendency of pitting corrosion.

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