What Is Salt Spray Testing & How Does The Process Work

Corrosion is a common problem encountered by various manufacturers. It is more relevant for materials used in marine environments or exposed to salt regularly. Metallic materials are highly prone to salt exposure which can cause severe corrosion and degradation over time. Even the oxygen present in the atmosphere can lead to oxidization. Therefore to enhance the durability of metals, they are often coated with high-quality paints that act as a barrier and shield the metal from external environment. Coatings or paints have varying degrees of resistance to external factors. Hence manufacturers invest in salt spray testing to evaluate the corrosion resistance accurately.

Salt spray testing is an effective corrosion testing technology that is performed using either a salt solution or a synthetic solution that simulates the corrosive properties of salt spray. The machine required to perform the test is called the salt corrosion test chamber. Manufacturers often use this testing technique to perform quality checks on final products. It can be used for any metallic specimen, such as copper, steel, brass, aluminum, etc. It is perfect for anyone who intends to produce quality metal products that last longer.

What Is Salt Corrosion Test Chamber?

Salt corrosion tester machines are brilliantly designed instruments capable of simulating and sampling the effects of salt spray or fog on materials and coatings. It is one of the most preferred testing equipment to evaluate the corrosion resistance of materials. The tester creates a controlled environment where a saltwater solution is atomized and sprayed onto the tested sample. It includes a chamber or cabinet that can be sealed and a system for delivering the salt solution in a fine mist or fog.
How Is The Test Performed?

Step 1: The tested sample is placed inside the reinforced fiber plastic chamber. These chambers should be built of high-quality material as they are exposed to varying degrees of temperature and corrosive elements for a long duration of time.
Step 2: The material is exposed to salt spray for a specific period. It is usually measured in hours or days. Various advanced instruments include heating or cooling the chamber to control the temperature and humidity levels. It can also collect and measure any corrosion or degradation that occurs.
Step 3: Test results help analyze the quality of the coating to help manufacturers understand the quality and durability of the material or coating.

How To Choose The Right Instrument?

Following are few of the must have qualities that manufacturers need to consider before they purchase a salt spray tester for their manufacturing unit.

• High-quality fiber-reinforced plastic material for long-lasting performance
• Microprocessor-based digital control system for convenient readings
• Advanced features with the capability to create a real-life corrosion environment
• Corrosion resistance standard of ASTM B117
• High-end features like water level indicator, air saturator, auto refilling, temperature alert, PID temperature controller, etc

Final Thoughts
The annual losses due to corrosion sum up to around 75000 per year. However, the latest trends and technological advancement can provide suited solutions to challenges faced by most of the industry dealing with metallic products. The result of salt spray testing can help distinguish between various coatings applied to the product. It can help you identify coatings or paints that are durable enough to suit your needs. The highly efficient salt spray chamber is popularly used as a lab testing instrument in the metal products manufacturing industry. Pacorr is one the leading testing instrument provider in the country and is known for producing quality equipment that produces accurate results.