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Free tool — Online calculator

Almen Saturation
Curve Calculator

SAE J443 · 10% rule · AMS 2430 / AMS 2432

Your saturation curve,
solved in 30 seconds

Enter the Almen arc heights you measured at different exposure times: the tool fits the saturation curve, derives the saturation time using the SAE J443 10% rule and returns the Almen intensity to declare. Machine, media and parameters must have stayed strictly constant across all points.

Step 1 — Your measured points

At least 3 points, ideally 5 to 8, spread either side of the expected saturation.

Calculation method

The tool fits the two-parameter exponential model a(t) = A · (1 − e^(−B·t)), the one most commonly used for saturation curves, by least squares on your points. SAE J443 defines saturation as the earliest point on the curve where doubling the exposure time increases arc height by no more than 10%. With this model that point is exactly T = ln(10)/B, and the corresponding Almen intensity is 0.9 × A. This calculation is a decision aid: it replaces neither your qualified procedure nor sign-off by a process authority.

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