Abstract
Stochastic properties of current fluctuations observed before a stable pit propagation were analyzed in a buffer neutral NaCl solution. Distribution and size of sulfides in a 304 stainless steel were changed by surface remelting and rapid soldification by CO2 laser and following heat treatments. Increase in the concentration of sulfides slightly increase the frequency in occurence of pit embryos, and increase of the size of sulfide decreased it. The volume, life time, peak height and stochastic nature of pit embryos, however, were not affected drastically by the size and distribution of sulfides. Weibull plots of life time revealed that there is a critical size for pit embryo formation.
