Oxidation input form
Example data table
| Sample | Initial Mass (g) | Final Mass (g) | Area (cm²) | Time (h) | Oxide Density (g/cm³) | Gain (mg/cm²) | Flux (mg/cm²·h) | Thickness (µm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel Alloy A | 50.000 | 50.126 | 40.00 | 24.00 | 5.20 | 3.1500 | 0.1312 | 6.0577 |
| Ferritic Steel B | 78.000 | 78.220 | 55.00 | 48.00 | 4.95 | 4.0000 | 0.0833 | 8.0808 |
| Coated Coupon C | 32.000 | 32.096 | 25.00 | 12.00 | 6.10 | 3.8400 | 0.3200 | 6.2951 |
Formula used
This calculator uses common mass-gain oxidation relationships for engineering screening and lab data review.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the specimen mass before oxidation.
- Enter the final mass after exposure.
- Add the exposed surface area and exposure time.
- Provide oxide density to estimate scale thickness.
- Enter the measured temperature and desired target temperature.
- Add activation energy for temperature-sensitive extrapolation.
- Set the future time horizon for prediction.
- Press the calculate button to view metrics above the form.
- Use the CSV and PDF buttons to export the calculated summary.
FAQs
1. What does oxidation rate mean here?
It means the average mass gain per exposed area over time. The page also derives thickness, linear rate constant, parabolic rate constant, and projected oxidation growth.
2. Why must final mass exceed initial mass?
This model assumes a positive net mass gain from oxide formation. If your sample loses mass through spallation or volatilization, use a more specialized corrosion model.
3. When is the parabolic model useful?
Parabolic growth is useful when a protective oxide layer slows diffusion over time. Many high-temperature oxidation systems show behavior close to this trend after initial transients.
4. What does the thickness estimate represent?
It estimates equivalent oxide scale thickness from normalized mass gain and oxide density. Real scales can be porous, layered, or cracked, so measured thickness may differ.
5. Why include activation energy?
Activation energy lets the calculator adjust the parabolic rate constant between two temperatures using an Arrhenius relationship. That improves screening of temperature-driven oxidation changes.
6. Can I use this for coated materials?
Yes, but interpret results carefully. Coatings, multilayers, and diffusion barriers can change density, kinetics, and the relationship between mass gain and true scale thickness.
7. What units does the calculator expect?
Use grams for mass, square centimeters for area, hours for time, degrees Celsius for temperature, and grams per cubic centimeter for oxide density.
8. Are the predictions suitable for design signoff?
They are best for engineering estimation, trend checking, and lab review. Critical design decisions should also use standards, longer test histories, and metallurgical verification.