How to Calculate Corrosion Rate
What is Corrosion Rate?
Corrosion rate quantifies material degradation: measured in mm/year or mils/year; depends on environment and material.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Input material, environment, exposure time
- 2Calculate mass loss or penetration depth
- 3Estimate service life
Worked Examples
Input
Mild steel in seawater: ~0.3-0.5 mm/year
Result
After 10 years: 3-5 mm penetration
Significant engineering concern
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Assuming uniform corrosion (pitting can be 10× faster)
- ✕Neglecting galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals
Frequently Asked Questions
How do alloys reduce corrosion?
Chromium forms passive oxide layer; stainless steel >12% Cr dramatically reduces corrosion.
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