An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian model for modelling the time-dependent evolution of crevice corrosion

•A moving mesh model for time-dependent crevice corrosion analysis was developed.•The arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian method was applied to implement the crevice deformation.•The current model is capable of predicting the corroded crevice shape.•The deposited corrosion product may promote crevice corrosion.

An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) model is proposed to model the time-dependent evolution of a crevice corrosion that can achieve the simulation of the transient potential distribution, the dynamic concentration profiles and the time-dependent geometry deformation for a corroding crevice. The time-dependent deformation of the crevice geometry, which is caused by metal dissolution and corrosion product precipitation, is implemented via the ALE method. The model reasonably predicted the dynamic pH distribution inside the crevice. It is also predicted that the deposition of corrosion product accelerates crevice corrosion. The current model would be helpful in elucidating the mechanism of crevice corrosion and other forms of related localised corrosion.