What Factors can Influence the Test Results in a Salt Spray Chamber?

What Factors can Influence the Test Results in a Salt Spray Chamber?

Salt Spray Chamber

As a manufacturer of metal products, it is crucial to address concerns regarding the corrosion resistance of metal parts and components. Therefore, it becomes imperative to conduct thorough material testing to preemptively identify and mitigate potential issues during usage. A viable solution for this purpose is the utilization of the Presto Salt Spray Chamber - Korrox IV Magnus Series Computerized

This quality lab testing equipment is tailored for metal product manufacturers seeking to validate the efficacy of surface coatings in resisting corrosion. The components undergo meticulous testing within a controlled salt-laden environment, ensuring compliance with specified parameters.

Here, in this blog, we will discuss some important factors that can influence the test results of a salt spray testing chamber. 

Select the Best Salt Spray Testing Chamber by Considering these Factors

Gaining insights from experts is crucial when considering essential aspects related to Salt Spray Chambers. Before acquiring these chambers, seeking the advice of experts is highly recommended. The primary purpose of Salt Spray Test Machine is to provide corrosion protection, emphasizing precision in surface coating to withstand challenging salty environments. The machine's core exhibits freshness with impressive functionalities, making it an optimal instrument for its protective coating capabilities.

In addition to these functionalities, potential buyers should pay attention to the following factors when selecting the ideal machine for their testing laboratory:

1. Capacity: Choose a chamber size based on your requirements, with options available such as 60 litres or more.

2. Display: Consider your budget and opt for a digital or touchscreen operating panel. Digital panels display results in a digital format, while touchscreen models feature an HMI user-friendly interface for easy operation.

3. Temperature: Select the machine's temperature range according to the material testing requirements. Salt Spray chambers come with different temperature ranges, such as Ambient to 45 or Ambient to 60 degrees Celsius. Determine the specific test requirements for your material.

4. Spray Mist Volume: Check if the machine is equipped with an appropriate volume of spray mist to create the required fog or salt environment in the chamber. Optimal results are achieved with a spray mist volume of 1-2 ml/hour.

You can read more about these factors and ensure that quality materials will be delivered to the customers. 

Now, let us discuss different factors that can influence the salt spray testing results.

Different Factors that can Influence Salt Spray Testing Results

Various factors can impact the outcomes of a salt spray test, a widely employed method for evaluating the corrosion resistance of products and metal materials. The concentration of the salt solution, the angle at which samples are placed, the pH value of the salt solution, test temperature and humidity, the quantity of salt spray sedimentation, and the spray method all contribute to the nuances of the salt spray test. 

Detailed explanations of the critical factors impacting the outcomes of the salt spray test are presented below, with the intention of providing valuable insights to all parties involved.

  • The corrosion in salt spray is influenced by temperature and humidity during testing. Metal corrosion tends to occur significantly when the relative humidity is around 70%, considered a critical point. When surpassing this crucial humidity level, salt has a tendency to dissolve, creating an electrolyte with efficient conductivity. 

  • The impact of salt solution concentration on corrosion rate varies depending on the materials and coatings involved. When the concentration is below 5%, the corrosion rate for steel, nickel, and brass rises with increasing concentration. Conversely, when the concentration surpasses 5%, the corrosion rate for these metals decreases as the concentration rises. This occurrence can be attributed to the oxygen content in the salt solution, which correlates with concentration. In the lower concentration range, oxygen content rises with increasing salt concentration. However, when the concentration reaches 5%, the oxygen content achieves relative saturation. If the salt concentration continues to rise, the oxygen content decreases. A decline in oxygen content results in reduced oxygen depolarization capacity, thereby weakening corrosion. Notably, for metals like zinc, cadmium, copper, and others, the corrosion rate consistently rises with an increase in salt solution concentration.

  • The placement angle of the sample significantly affects the outcomes of the salt spray test. The salt spray tends to settle in a direction close to the vertical. Placing the sample horizontally results in a larger projection area, leading to a substantial amount of salt spray on the sample surface and, consequently, more severe corrosion.

  • The pH value of the salt solution is a crucial factor influencing salt spray test results. A lower pH corresponds to higher hydrogen ion concentration, indicating increased acidity and heightened corrosiveness. In the salt spray test of electroplated parts like Fe/Zn, Fe/Cd, Fe/Cu/Ni/Cr, findings reveal that the corrosiveness of the Acetate Spray Test (ASS) with a pH of 3.0 is 1.5~2.0 times more severe than that of the Neutral Salt Spray Test (NSS) with a pH range of 6.5~7.2. It's noteworthy that the pH value of the salt solution can fluctuate due to environmental factors.

  • The size of salt spray particles directly correlates with surface area formation, oxygen absorption, and corrosiveness. In nature, over 90% of salt spray particles have a diameter of less than 1 μm. Research indicates that the oxygen absorbed on 1 μm diameter salt spray particles is relatively balanced with the dissolved oxygen within the particles. Regardless of the particle size, the amount of absorbed oxygen does not increase. Traditional spray methods, such as air pressure and spray tower methods have a notable drawback of poor uniformity in salt spray sedimentation and larger particle diameters. The ultrasonic atomization method addresses these issues by employing ultrasonic atomization to directly convert the salt solution into salt fog, diffusing it into the test area with improved sedimentation uniformity and smaller particle diameters. It's worth noting that different spraying methods can also influence the pH value of the salt solution.

These factors will influence the test results in the salt spray test chamber. If you need more information about this quality testing equipment then you can give us a call at +919210903903 or email us at info@prestogroup.com.