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All about Salt Spray testing

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All about Salt Spray testing


A salt spray test is also referred to as corrosion testing and is performed on metal products. This test estimates the resistance of surface coating from the corrosion initiating conditions. In a simple salt spray test, the specimen is subjected to the saline fog for a particular duration and when the test cycle is completed, the specimen is analysed visually. There are standards defined by relative authorities to execute the test step by step. ASTM B117 is followed that has defined most of the conditions and precautions to be studied while performing Temperature Cycling Test Chamber.

Test Procedure

  • To execute the test, first of all, a standardized salt spray chamber is required.
    · To start the test, place the sample in the chamber by rubbing off all of the contaminants like dust or grease from the specimen surface.
    · The angle of placement must be 20° and the must be kept away from the chamber walls. Close the canopy of the chamber and set enough time periods.
    · The duration of the test could be in the multiple of 24, like, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and so on.
    · Many machines are equipped with HMI panel or touch screen panel to permit the profile programming.
    · After the test is complete, the specimen is taken out and analysed visually.
    · If the specimen doesn't show any traces of rust it passed the test, else it is failed.

Precautions to be Taken

  • The temperature of the chamber should really be approx. 37°C.
    · The level of fog that will be maintained is 5ml.
    · Throughout the test, the canopy should not be opened. It disturbs the test conditions which can be maintained within the chamber.
    · It is very important that the test should run non-stop. Therefore, it's very necessary to truly have a water reservoir.
    · The sample shouldn't be placed very near the walls, it may end up in uneven experience of fog.

    Significance of Corrosion Testing

In metal industries, this test serves different purposes. Some industries try to evaluate the behaviour of their product in real working conditions, though some attempt to estimate the shelf life of the product. There's one interesting analysis and that is a determination of salt spray life. It may be defined as how many hours a specimen can withstand without developing the corrosion. In lots of industries, it is used whilst the parameter to judge the regression in the production process. Over the time, because of wear and tear of the machine or with age the machine the production process starts to produce loopholes that might not get recognised unless tested. The caliber of the coating starts to degrade unintentionally. This degradation can be determined by salt spray testing. In case a coated product used to have a salt spray life of 96 hours however now it has begun to fail at 84 hours, this implies the coating process needs reconsideration.

It's an internal method of establishing quality standards. The manufacturer must consistently adhere to these standards to supply high-quality products. Salty fog testing is recognized as an essential parameter in the metal industry. It not just tests the sustainability of the coated surface but in addition determines the real-time behavior of the product.

There is always a misconception among the manufacturers and they attempt to relate the salt spray life with real life. But this is simply not the goal of the test. Because in actual life conditions, there is a periodic cycle of wet and dry events. However, in simulated tested conditions, you can find constant wet conditions. Understanding the best aim with this test is essential to ensure that right testing purpose can be served.

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