ASTM B117 Salt Spray (Fog) Corrosion Testing Services
ASTM B117 salt and fog test is used to find corrosion; it is applicable in industries, like automotive, aerospace, and marine, to ensure that materials and coatings will withstand corrosive environments.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
Overview
ASTM B117 defines the standard practice for operating salt spray (fog) apparatus to evaluate the corrosion resistance of metals and coated materials. The test exposes specimens to a controlled saline mist environment, simulating accelerated corrosive conditions to assess protective coatings, plating, and surface treatments under standardized parameters.
This method is widely used across automotive, aerospace, marine, and manufacturing industries to compare coating performance and durability. Although it does not replicate real-world environments exactly, ASTM B117 provides a consistent and repeatable benchmark for quality control, product development, and compliance verification.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
ASTM B117 covers the apparatus, procedure, and conditions required to conduct salt spray testing using a neutral salt solution. It specifies requirements for chamber design, solution preparation, temperature control, and exposure duration to ensure consistent corrosion testing conditions.
Includes:
- Salt spray (fog) chamber operation
- Preparation of sodium chloride solution
- Control of temperature and pH conditions
- Specimen positioning and exposure duration
- Evaluation of corrosion effects after testing
Applications
- Corrosion resistance testing of coated metals
- Evaluation of paints, coatings, and platings
- Automotive components and body parts
- Marine and offshore equipment
- Aerospace material testing
- Hardware and fasteners testing
Benefits
- Accelerated corrosion evaluation method
- Standardized and repeatable testing conditions
- Useful for quality control and comparison
- Identifies coating defects and weaknesses
- Supports product development and validation
- Cost-effective corrosion testing approach
Testing Process
Specimen Preparation
Specimens are cleaned and prepared to ensure surfaces are free from contaminants before exposure.
1Solution Preparation
A sodium chloride solution is prepared with controlled concentration and pH for consistent fog generation.
2Exposure in Chamber
Samples are placed in the chamber and exposed to continuous salt fog under controlled temperature conditions.
3Inspection and Evaluation
After exposure, specimens are examined for corrosion, rust formation, and coating degradation.
4Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Type | Neutral salt spray (fog) test |
| Chamber Temperature | 35°C ± 2°C (95°F) |
| Salt Solution Concentration | 5% NaCl |
| pH Range | 6.5 – 7.2 |
| Test Duration | Based on specification (24–1000+ hours) |
| Result Evaluation | Visual inspection, corrosion rating, blistering, rust %, adhesion loss |
| Fog Collection Rate | 1–2 mL/hour per 80 cm² |
| Chamber Type | Enclosed corrosion test chamber |
Instrumentation Used
- Salt spray test chamber
- pH meter
- Temperature controller
- Fog collection cylinders
- Analytical balance
- Deionized water system
Results and Deliverables
- Corrosion resistance test report
- Visual inspection results (rust, blistering, degradation)
- Photographic documentation of samples
- Pass/fail evaluation based on standards
- Coating performance comparison
- Compliance certification report
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM B117 is a standardized test method used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of metals and protective coatings by exposing them to a controlled salt spray (fog) environment.
To assess how well a material or coating can withstand salt-induced corrosion, especially for products used in marine, automotive, aerospace, and outdoor environments.
The fog collection rate ensures consistent deposition of salt solution within the chamber, typically maintained between 1 to 2 milliliters per hour per specified collection area to standardize exposure conditions.
Maintaining the correct pH range ensures consistent corrosive conditions, as variations in pH can significantly affect corrosion rates and lead to unreliable or non-reproducible test results.
ASTM B117 does not fully replicate real-world environmental conditions but provides a controlled and accelerated testing method that is useful for comparing corrosion resistance and evaluating relative performance of different materials and coatings.
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