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When the metal is dissolved in a corrosive environment, the anodic reaction takes place at the interface.

In the activity domain, the anodic current increases and the overall reaction is .

In the prepassivity domain, the formation of the oxide film protects the metal from the corrosive environment. The anodic current decreases according to the reaction

.

In the passivity domain, the protective layer totally separates the metal from the environment. The anodic current is stable and at a minimum.

In the transpassivity domain, the layer ruptures. The metal continues to corrode and the anodic current again increases via

.