When a metal or metal alloy is immersed in an electrolyte made of a conducting material of sufficient oxidizing power, such as moist soil, it will corrode according to a well-defined electrochemical mechanism. dc corrosion is a result of dissolution of material due to oxidizing reactions, liberating electrons and forming positive ions transported into the electrolyte, leading to material loss. The current-potential relationship governing this electrochemical process termed polarization, is non-linear. This relationship is often represented by a polarization curve, which is typically, an experimentally determined function. There are a number of parameters that can contribute to the final characteristics of the polarization curve within a system ranging from material parameters (e.g. material, geometry) to environmental factors (e.g. composition of the electrolyte).