What is the term for the deterioration of metal due to a chemical reaction in the environment?

The term for the deterioration of metal due to a chemical reaction in the environment is "corrosion." Corrosion is a broad term that encompasses various processes through which metals degrade due to reactions with their environment, which can include moisture, oxygen, electrolytes, and pollutants. This deterioration can lead to significant structural damage and safety hazards in metal components and structures over time.

While oxidation specifically refers to the reaction where metal interacts with oxygen, it is a specific type of corrosion rather than a standalone process. Decomposition generally refers to the breakdown of organic materials and is not applicable to metals. Rusting is a specific form of corrosion that mostly pertains to iron and its alloys, forming rust (iron oxide) when they react with moisture and oxygen, but it does not describe the entire spectrum of metal deterioration processes. That's why "corrosion" is the correct term that best captures the broad and various mechanisms behind metal deterioration.