Corrosion of American infrastructure accounts for the loss of millions of dollars annually. Products ranging from hand tools to bridges must combat this phenomenon through proper design and coating protection. Laboratory accelerated corrosion testing enables clients to evaluate new designs and coatings in a controlled environment prior to release in to the real world. Applied Technical Services employs a variety of salt fog testing methods to project the effectiveness and lifespan of the coatings designed to protect products and equipment.
Reasons To Request Salt Fog Testing
Salt fog testing is one of the most commonly used forms of corrosion testing. The salt fog testing has proven effective at determining the integrity and quality of the corrosive resistance of various metals or finishes.
A standard 5% solution of NaCl, known as NSS or neutral salt spray is chosen based on the specific coating being evaluated. A number of corrosion testing standards (see below under Test Methods) will require a manufacturer to satisfy certain specifications.
Here are just a few examples of tests that can be performed in conjunction with salt spray testing:
- Determine the corrosion creepage when a coated surface is scratched (as per ASTM D1654)
- Measure coating adhesion (as per ASTM D3359)
- Measure the degree of blistering (as per ASTM D714)
- Determine the degree of rusting (as per ASTM D610)
How Does Salt Fog Testing Correlate to the Real World?
There is no direct correlation between laboratory salt fog testing and real world conditions. This is difficult to predict because substrates and coatings are always evolving, and outdoor environments are inherently variable on a day to day or location to location basis.
Common Test Methods:
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- ASTM B117: Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
- ASTM D870: Water Immersion
- ASTM D2247: Condensing Relative Humidity
- A2LA Accredited
- ASTM G85 A1: Acetic Acid Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
- ASTM G85 A2: Cyclic Acidified Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
- ASTM G85 A3: SWAAT (Synthetic Sea Water Fog)
- A2LA Accredited
- ASTM B368: CASS (Copper Accelerated Salt Fog)
- A2LA Accredited
- ASTM D1735: Fogging Relative Humidity
- A2LA Accredited
US Military Standards (MIL)
- MIL STD 202 Method 101: Salt Fog
- MIL STD 810 Method 509.4: Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
- MIL STD 810 Method 507.4: Humidity
- A2LA Accredited
- MIL STD 883 Method 1009: Salt Fog
- MIL STD 1344 A Method 1000: Salt Fog
- MIL A 8625: Salt Fog
International Standards Organization (ISO)
- ISO 9227: Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
- ISO 9227: Acetic Acid Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
- ISO 9227: CASS (Copper Accelerated Salt Fog)
- A2LA Accredited
- ISO 7253: Neutral Salt Spray
German Standards (DIN)
- DIN 50021: Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
- DIN 50017: Condensing Relative Humidity
- DIN EN ISO 2409: Cross Cut Test
- A2LA Accredited
- DIN 50907
- DIN EN ISO 3892: Chemical Conversion Coatings
British Standards (BS)
- BS 7479
- BS 7479: AASS
- BS 7479: CASS
- BS AU 148 P2
- BS 2011 P2.1
- BS 5466 P 1,2, & 3
Japanese Standards
- JIS Z 2371: Salt Fog
- JIS H 8502: CASS Testing
- JIS H 8681: CASS Testing
- JIS Z 0237: Adhesive Tape
- JIS H 8502: Corrosion Resistance
- JIS H 8681: Alkali Resistance
- JIS H 10007: Humidity
- JIS K 5600: Humidity
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- SAE J 2334: Cyclic Accelerated Corrosion Test
- SAE J 1389: Corrosion Test for Insulation
- SAE J 575 3.4
- SAE J 400: Gravelometer
- A2LA Accredited
- SAE J 575 3.3: Dust
- SAE J 1563: Cyclic Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
Chrysler Standards
- PS-10378
- CS Corrosion
- PS-Plating
- MS-10783
Ford Standards
- FLTM B1-103: Salt Spray
- A2LA Accredited
- Ford BQ5-1: CASS
- WSK-M2P157: Salt Spray
- FLTM BO 116-1: Fogging
- A2LA Accredited
GM Standards
- GM 4298P: Salt Fog
- A2LA Accredited
- GM 4466P: Acetic Acid Salt Fog
- GM 9540P: Cyclic Accelerated Corrosion Test
- A2LA Accredited
- GM 4465P: Fogging Relative Humidity
- A2LA Accredited
- GM 4476P: CASS
- GMW 14872: Cyclic Accelerated Corrosion Test
- A2LA Accredited
Nissan Standards
- NES M0138: CASS
- NES M 0140: Salt Spray Testing
Why Use Applied Technical Services:
ATS provides a state of the art test facility with the most up-to-date equipment, and a very knowledgeable staff that will provide exceptional customer service and insight on your testing. The environmental testing experts, operating out of the Marietta Super Lab, perform dozens of procedures to their ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (A2LA) accredited standards. An ATS report is clear, accurate, and returned within a timely manner. It may contain any or all of the information below:
- Detailed photographs of the samples (at any specified interval)
- Chamber conditions (Examples: pH / Specific Gravity / Temperature)
- All calibration and compliance data of the salt fog chamber and any supporting equipment
- Applied Technical Services laboratory accreditations, and certifications for the requested testing
If your company needs salt fog testing for your product or equipment, contact ATS today — We take a closer look!
