Salt Spray Testing

Quest Engineering Solutions is a leading provider of salt spray testing and many other testing services.

Salt Spray, also known as salt fog testing, is a standardized test method used to compare the relative corrosion resistance of metal or coated metal test specimens when exposed to a corrosive environment with high humidity. The test can be used to provide a general understanding of a products ability to withstand corrosive environments, or to assess whether the product can resist general corrosion over longer periods of time. This test is typically required for products that are expected to be exposed to a marine environment, but can also be used as a tool for analysis, such as to compare different metal materials, coatings, or finishes to determine relative corrosion resistance and performance of each.

The test results in an acceleration of the corrosion effects of metal specimens at a much faster rate than would be observed in ambient conditions. This is useful for gathering data on the long or short term effects that corrosive environments have on the test specimens.

Salt Spray testing consists of placing test specimens in a specialized test chamber equipped with spray towers, which constantly atomize a salt solution onto the specimens over the course of the test. Typical salt concentrations of the test solution can range from 3 to 5%.  Test durations typically range anywhere from 24 to 96 hours, though testing can extend for thousands of hours for critical applications.

The most common salt spray test standard is ASTM B117, though testing per MIL-STD-810 is also extremely common. Testing per MIL-STD-810 differs from ASTM B117 in that the sample can exposed in cycles that include exposure to salt spray followed by a drying period. This is intended to simulate real-world conditions where materials might alternate between wet and dry environments. The exact number of cycles and the overall test duration can be adjusted based on the specific requirements of the equipment being tested.

Common Salt Spray Test Standards

• ASTM B117
• MIL-STD-202
• MIL-STD-810
• MIL-STD-883
• ANSI/SCTE 143
• And More!

Quest performs this test for the following industries:

• Military/li>
• Medical
• Commercial
• Aerospace
• Semiconductor
• And More!

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