1. What is the Corrosion Rate Equation?

The Corrosion Rate equation calculates the rate at which aluminum corrodes based on weight loss, density, surface area, and time. It provides a standardized measurement (mpy - mils per year) to assess material degradation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Corrosion Rate equation:

Where:

• \( Weight\ loss \) — Mass loss due to corrosion (g)
• \( Density \) — Material density (g/cm³)
• \( Area \) — Exposed surface area (in²)
• \( Time \) — Exposure time (hours)
• 534 — Conversion factor to mpy

Explanation: The equation converts experimental measurements into a standardized corrosion rate that can be compared across different materials and conditions.

3. Importance of Corrosion Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate corrosion rate measurement is crucial for material selection, predicting service life, and evaluating protective coatings for aluminum components in various environments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight loss in grams, density in g/cm³, area in square inches, and time in hours. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does mpy stand for?
A: MPY stands for mils per year (1 mil = 0.001 inch), which is a standard unit for measuring corrosion rates.

Q2: Why is the conversion factor 534 used?
A: The factor 534 combines unit conversions for density (g/cm³ to g/in³), area (in²), and time (hours to years) to give results in mpy.

Q3: What is a typical corrosion rate for aluminum?
A: Aluminum typically has very low corrosion rates (0.1-1 mpy) in most environments due to its protective oxide layer.

Q4: When should this calculation be used?
A: This calculation is used in laboratory testing and field studies to quantify aluminum corrosion in specific environmental conditions.

Q5: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: This equation assumes uniform corrosion and may not accurately represent localized corrosion forms like pitting or crevice corrosion.