Gouging of boiler tubes has been commonly attributed to the dissolution of a protective
magnetite film due to caustic attack, followed by precipitation of a non-protective magnetite scale.
Furthermore, copper and nickel compounds were assumed to preferentially precipitate in the
gouged area and to enhance the corrosion process. The present paper challenges some of the
accepted assumptions and presents a new understanding for this corrosion phenomenon. It is
argued that the magnetite film loses its protective nature as a result of localized high-heat input
caused by flame impingement. This step is followed by formation of a non-protective porous
magnetite scale as a result of a reaction between the metal and oxygen-bearing species. The
growth of the scale is consistent with a process whereby the magnetite layer is constantly pushed
up from below by oxide forming at the metal surface. The oxidation process becomes self-sustaining
due to the increase in heat transfer resistance across the tube wall. Copper and nickel were found
in all tube surfaces. However, the amounts were more in the gouged area due to build up of local
concentrated solutions through wick-type boiling. The gouging process was judged to be
autocatalytic, as the build up of concentrated solutions requires the presence of the porous
magnetite.