Question

A pit in 18-8 stainless steel exposed to seawater grows to a depth of 3 cm in one year. to what average current density at the base of the pit does this rate correspond?

Answer 1

The average current density at the base of the pit is approximately (1 / 3π) cm/year.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the average current density at the base of the pit, we can use the formula:

Average current density = Corrosion rate / Area

First, we need to calculate the area of the pit. Since the pit is circular, we can use the formula for the area of a circle:

Area = π * radius^2.

Given that the pit has a depth (radius) of 3 cm, we can substitute this value into the equation:

Area = π * (3 cm)^2 = 9π cm^2.

Now, we can plug in the values:

Average current density = 3 cm/year / 9π cm^2 = (1 / 3π) cm/year.

Therefore, the average current density at the base of the pit is approximately (1 / 3π) cm/year.