corrosion

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01351
An irreversible interfacial reaction of a material (metal, @CT07540@, polymer) with its environment which results in consumption of the material or in @D01806@ into the material of a component of the environment. Often, but not necessarily, corrosion results in effects detrimental to the usage of the material considered. Exclusively physical or mechanical processes such as @M03821@ or @E02227@, abrasion or mechanical fracture are not included in the term corrosion.
Source:
PAC, 1989, 61, 19. (Electrochemical corrosion nomenclature (Recommendations 1988)) on page 20 [Terms] [Paper]