Simulation of pitting corrosion for Ni-based alloy using a cellular automata model

In order to deeply understand the pitting corrosion in Steam Generator (SG) tubing of a pressure water reactor, a Cellular Automata (CA) model was developed to simulate the pitting corrosion. The four basic elements of CA model were determined to simulate the electrochemical reactions, chemical reactions and diffusion processes. The results were qualitatively and quantitatively compared with the experimental and analog data quoted from literatures. Based on the simulation, the shapes of pitting corrosion, the corrosion current density and the effect of Cl^- on pitting corrosion can be obtained, all of which are important for predicting the structural integrity of steam generator tubing.