A materials scientist develops a coating that loses 3% of its thickness annually. If the initial thickness is 0.5 mm, what thickness remains after 4 years? (Round to two decimal places)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:59:01 +0000

**Why Is Thinning Coatings Gaining Attention in Advanced Materials?**
A materials scientist develops a coating designed to lose 3% of its thickness each year. If the starting thickness is 0.5 mm, understanding its long-term behavior reveals insights into corrosion resistance, durability, and performance over time. With growing focus on longevity in infrastructure, electronics, and industrial applications, this simple yet impactful degradation pattern offers real-world data points for engineers and researchers. Digital platforms like Discover highlight these kinds of technical developments, as users increasingly seek clarity on how materials age and affect reliability. **Is This Phenomenon Trending Across U.S. Innovation Sectors?**
The environmental and economic weight of material degradation drives interest in coatings that thin predictably. With rising costs in maintenance and replacements, industries are prioritizing builds with measurable long-term behavior. This annual 3% loss model aligns with simulations and lab forecasts used in quality control, offering a clear benchmark for performance expectations. Though specific headlines may not dominate search, the underlying principle fuels deep dives into materials science trends, positioning this coating as a teaching example of durability forecasting. **How Does Thickness Erode by 3% Annually, Starting at 0.5 mm?**
To find the remaining thickness after four years, start with the initial value: 0.5 mm. Each year, the coating shrinks by 3%, meaning 97% remains. Applying this for four years uses compound decay:
Remaining thickness = 0.5 × (0.97)⁴
Calculating:
(0.97)⁴ ≈ 0.8853
0.5 × 0.8853 ≈ 0.44265
Rounded to two decimal places: **0.44 mm** This gradual thinning illustrates how