1. n. [Enhanced Oil Recovery]

A type of corrosion in which there is loss of metal in localized areas. The corrosion rate in the pits is many times greater than the corrosion rate on the entire surface. The resultant pits can be large and shallow or narrow and deep. Pitting is a more dangerous problem than general corrosion because the pitted areas can be easily penetrated.

See related terms: corrosion control