Knowledge Guide: Salt Spray Chamber

Salt Spray Chamber is a laboratory testing machine that creates a highly corrosive test environment inside the chamber to test the long-term effects of salt or particles, present in different environmental conditions, on objects and materials over a period of time. The test chamber comprises a transparent canopy that provides complete visibility in the chamber. This means, even at the time of testing, you can observe the effects on the sample.

The testing machine works on the international test standard i.e. ASTM B117. This ensures that it can maintain precise temperature and other conditions of air, rain, mist, etc and provides 100% accurate test results. Talking about the temperature uniformity, the device appropriately maintains the required temperature inside the chamber that the operator has provided and without letting the other external factors affect the test result.

Test Standards
A Salt Fog / Corrosion Test Chamber complied with various national and international standard test methods such as ASTM B117, ISO 9227, and IS Z 2371. The standards defined how the corrosion resistance strength of different metals in different conditions can be measured. The process helps to determine the corrosive strength of metal when subjected directly to a corrosive environment.

Temperature Controlling Device in Salt Spray Chamber

Salt Spray chamber is equipped with inbuilt PID temperature controller that is highly reliable and helps to maintain the temperature in a reservoir within a double walled constructed chamber. The effect of salt solution is added inside the chamber through an atomizing nozzle. The machine can be calibrated by performing a certain step.

Applications of Salt Fog Chamber

Salt Spray chambers are used to evaluate the corrosive properties of multiple surfaces of coatings. A few of them are:

• Phosphated surfaces with paint/lacquer/primer
• Zinc and Zinc-alloy plating
• Electroplated metals such as chromium, copper, nickel, and tin
• Coatings not applied electrolytically such as zinc, flake coatings, etc.
• Organic coatings
• Paint coatings

Preventative Measure to Maintain Corrosion Test Chambers

There are certain preventative maintenance measures that should be taken on the environmental test chamber quarterly to maintain it for a long time.
Starting with the basic inspection of the chambers and its electrical components:

• Check the 3-Phase Power properly.
• Have a look at the solenoid covers and coils
• Make sure that you have placed the chamber at least 3 feet away from the wall
• Check the instrument wiring and ground wiring carefully
• Check the compressor connection

If you find any discrepancy with any of the above issues, take photos of the affected part(s) and send them to [email protected].
Preventative maintenance is the basic key to maintain the health of your instruments to keep your device operational for more than a decode. A properly maintained testing machine can last for more than 20 years.

Conclusion

Salt Spray Tester is the testing device that is used to test the corrosion resistance strength of the ferrous metals when placed in a corrosive environment. With the wide usage, it is also important to maintain the health of salt spray chambers for a long time, to perform as many tests as possible. There are certain preventative maintenance measures that should be taken with time to maintain it for a long time. For more information on salt spray chambers, contact Pacorr.