Stainless steels, nickel-base and chromium-bearing alloys may be subjected to pitting and critical pitting temperature investigation. Test pieces are immersed in a ferric chloride solution (FeCl₃) at constant temperature for a specified time, then are rinsed, weighed and examined. Following which, specimen mass loss is calculated and the number of pits (in order to establish the pit density) together with the maximum and average pit depth are recorded.

The ASTM G 48 standard test method provide the procedures to detect the critical temperature at which pitting corrosion initiates. The starting temperature is estimated by an equation multiplying chrome, nickel and molybdenum percentages and standard coefficients. If 0,025 mm or deeper pits start at this temperature, the test is repeated at a lower temperature; otherwise the test is repeated at a higher temperature. This method allows to detect the actual critical pitting temperature of the material.