Fouling
Fouling can be defined as "the settlement, and sometimes the growth, of undesired materials on solid surfaces in a way that reduces the efficiency of the affected part." Though it rarely leads to catastrophic failure of materials, fouling nevertheless impacts a part's function, leading to a failure of its intended purpose. Like corrosion, fouling has considerable economic impact. There are numerous types of fouling, including biofouling (accumulation of living organisms), precipitation fouling (accumulation of crystals precipitating from solution), and particulate fouling (accumulation of particulates), among others.
Though similar, with overlap in their definitions, fouling and corrosion are not necessarily the same thing. (Though corrosion fouling is one type of fouling where the corrosion deposits build up, and fouling corrosion is another thing entirely, where corrosion is caused by fouling.) Corrosion is caused in-situ, as a result of reactions with the material/part. Fouling is caused by build up of ex-situ material, i.e., material that is not a component of the part that is being fouled.
The effect of fouling on heat exchanges is of particular interest to the industries involved, as is membrane fouling.
Sources/Further Reading: (2023 article - image 1) (CSI) (Book Chapter) (Corrosionpedia) (Wikipedia)















