Abstract
A synopsis of experimental results on the anodic dissolution of iron is given. From these data the existence of two different reaction mechanisms is proved, of the noncatalyzed (Bockris) mechanism and of the catalyzed (Heusler) mechanism. The current density‐potential relations under steady‐state and nonsteady‐state conditions are given. An atomistic model of the two dissolution mechanisms is confirmed by electron micrography. It is shown that a change between reaction mechanisms can be brought about at will. Which one of the two mechanisms is predominant depends on the surface activity of the iron sample, which is determined by the crystallographic substructure. This is shown by x‐ray measurements, electrochemical experiments, and electron micrographs. The exchange current densities of the 
electrode are calculated and discussed.