Assess Product Resistance to Salt-Laden Environments
Salt exposure can accelerate corrosion and degrade the performance of metals, coatings, composites, and other materials. Salt corrosion testing provides a controlled way to expose products or test specimens to salt-laden conditions and assess their resistance to corrosion.
At Austest Laboratories, we perform independent salt spray and salt mist testing using five AS/IEC/EN 60068.2.52 accredited chambers. Our chambers range up to walk-in size and support continuous or periodic salt mist cycling across a wide range of temperatures.
Our Salt Corrosion Testing Capabilities
Austest provides specialist salt spray testing and salt mist testing for products and materials that need to withstand salt-laden environments. Our testing is typically conducted over 500 to 1,000 hours, depending on the applicable standard and test requirements.
Large-Scale Test Capacity
Our accredited test chambers range up to walk-in size, giving us the capacity to accommodate larger products and assemblies that may not be suitable for smaller laboratory chambers.
Flexible Test Conditions
We can carry out continuous or periodic exposure programmes, with controlled temperature conditions to meet the requirements of applicable test standards and specifications.
Support for Complex Projects
Our experienced technical team can support testing across metals, coatings, composites, and finished products, including projects with specific test conditions or unusual requirements.
The Testing Process and Results
We aim to make the salt mist and spray testing process straightforward from the outset. Our team will guide you through each stage and keep you informed throughout your project.
- Tell us about your testing requirements, and relevant standards, test duration as well as size, mass and number of samples you wish to test.
- We’ll provide a tailored quotation.
- Testing is carried out in our specialist laboratory facilities under the agreed conditions.
- You'll receive clear, documented test results.
As an independent, accredited test house, Austest Laboratories operates with complete impartiality. We can explain testing requirements, applicable standards, and test results, but we can't guarantee formal certification or provide recommendations designed to influence test outcomes.
What Is Salt Corrosion Testing and How Does It Work?
Salt corrosion testing exposes a product, material, or coating to a controlled salt-laden environment to assess its corrosion resistance under specified conditions. Testing results can help to evaluate metals and protective coatings, identify defects, and verify whether a product meets the requirements of a relevant standard or specification.
A salt mist test, also known as a salt fog test or salt spray test, is a type of salt corrosion test that uses a chamber to create a controlled atmosphere containing fine droplets of salt solution. A cyclic salt mist test can also introduce additional humidity and drying stages to reproduce different conditions within a salt-laden environment.
Why Choose Austest for Salt Mist Testing?
- Accredited testing capability to recognised Australian and international standards
- Accurate and impartial salt spray and mist testing with clear, documented results
- Professional support from engineers experienced in complex environmental testing
- Access to a broad range of additional environmental tests from one accredited laboratory
Let’s discuss your salt corrosion testing requirements. Get in touch with our team and receive a tailored quote today!
FAQs About Salt Mist and Spray Testing
What is the purpose of salt corrosion testing?
The purpose of salt corrosion testing is to assess how a product, material, or protective coating responds to controlled exposure to salt-laden conditions. It can help identify corrosion or coating defects and demonstrate whether a test specimen meets the requirements of a relevant product standard or specification.
What is a salt mist test?
A salt mist test exposes a test specimen to a controlled atmosphere containing fine droplets of salt solution. The test can be used to assess corrosion resistance under specified conditions, with the exact method and exposure period determined by the applicable standard or product specification.
What is the difference between salt spray and salt mist testing?
Salt spray test, salt fog test, and salt mist test are commonly used terms for laboratory tests involving a fine salt solution dispersed through a controlled chamber. The precise test conditions depend on the standard being followed.
What is a salt spray corrosion test chamber?
A salt spray corrosion test chamber is a controlled laboratory chamber used to expose test specimens to a specified salt spray or salt mist environment. The chamber controls conditions such as the salt solution and exposure environment so that testing can be performed consistently against the applicable requirements.
What kinds of products need salt corrosion testing?
Salt corrosion testing can be relevant to products and materials that may encounter salt-laden environments during use. This can include metals, metallic coatings, conversion coatings, anodic oxide coatings, and organic coatings applied to metallic materials, depending on the applicable test method.
How long does a typical salt mist test run for?
The required duration depends on the product, applicable standard, and test specification. At Austest, salt spray corrosion testing is typically conducted between 500 and 1,000 hours, but the appropriate exposure period should be established as part of the agreed test programme.
Is salt spray testing an accelerated corrosion test?
A salt spray test is a controlled laboratory test that can accelerate the appearance of corrosion compared with natural outdoor exposure. However, the results shouldn't automatically be interpreted as a direct prediction of how many years a product will last in a particular environment.
Can you perform a corrosion salt spray test to military standards?
The applicable requirements depend on the product and specification. At Austest, we provide environmental testing for defence applications and can review your requirements to establish whether the relevant salt spray fog test or other corrosion test can be supported.
What details do I need to provide to get an accurate quote?
Please provide details about your product or test specimen, including its dimensions, materials, intended application, the standard or specification you need to meet, and any required exposure duration or evaluation criteria. Providing these details early allows us to understand your requirements, establish the appropriate test scope, and prepare an accurate quotation.