Have you seen those bridges or drilling rigs in the rivers and oceans? Those are always exposed to water and air. Yet in most cases, there is no sign of corrosion. Or take the examples of ships, cars, aeroplanes, etc. These products don’t catch corrosion, even when exposed to the ocean or salty winter roads. Have you ever wondered how these companies keep their products so intact, even in tough conditions? That’s where the salty spray test comes into play. Simulating real-world scenarios, this test checks the durability of the materials in harsh conditions.
What is the Salt Spray Test?
Also known as the salt fog test, the salt spray test is a brutally accelerated corrosion test where materials are exposed to a fine mist of saltwater inside a sealed chamber. The idea is to recreate the conditions of marine, coastal, or humid environments—just faster. To recreate the salty winter road or seaside scenario, the salt spray chamber uses around 5% of sodium chloride (NaCl)—a fine mist of saltwater.
It is used to test:
- Electroplated metals
- Coated or painted surfaces
- Zinc, chrome, or nickel finishes
- Galvanised material
And what does it evaluate?
- Rust resistance of bare metal
- Coating durability (paint, plating, galvanising)
- Surface treatment performance
Inside the Salt Spray Chamber
Also known as the corrosion test chamber, this machine is a sealed unit designed to produce a consistent salt-laden fog that replicates coastal or industrial environments. The key features include:
- Corrosion-resistant spray nozzles
- Corrosion-resistant and temperature-controlled test chamber
- Internal racks to hold the test specimens at a 15° to 30° angle
- Timers and controllers to manage the test duration
- Fog collection system
- Air compressor and regulator
Known for its quality and durability, the salt spray chamber of Presto, along with these features, also includes:
- A 7″ TFT LCD colour screen
- ARM9 32-bit CPU & 3M Flash Memory
- USB 1.1 for high-speed screen data download
- Ethernet technology
- Special Locking function
- Alarm notification system
- Remote operation and monitoring of HMI functions with an inbuilt VNC server
What Is the Procedure of the Salt Spray Testing?
Made as per ASTM B117 and JIS 2371, the corrosion test chamber by Presto maintains consistent and reliable results. These are the steps of the salt spray testing procedure.
Sample Preparation
- Clean the samples to remove grease, dust, or residues.
- Mask any areas not to be exposed.
- Record baseline measurements.
Load Samples into the Chamber
- Place those samples on the racks at a 15–30° angle.
- Just make sure that those samples do not block the fog flow.
Start the Salt Fog Cycle
- Use a standard 5% saltwater solution.
- Set the ideal temperature. Mostly 35? is used.
- Start the spray nozzles to create a continuous fog inside the chamber.
Monitor and Record
- Run the test for 24 to 1000+ hours, depending on the product or standard.
- Open the chamber at set intervals.
- Check for rust, blistering, or coating failure at set intervals.
- Document and compare results against specification standards.
Standard Salt Fog Test Standards
Irrespective of the country, ASTM B117 is the most common salt spray test standard. It defines the test environment, salt solution composition, temperature, pH range, and inspection intervals. However, there are other test standards as well, such as:
- ISO 9227 – International salt fog test guideline
- JIS Z 2371 – Japanese standard
- DIN 50021 – German standard
- GB/T 10125 – Chinese equivalent of ISO 9227
Why Should You Use a Corrosion Test Chamber?
Corrosion may be invisible at first, but its impact is anything but small. From rusting metal parts to the weakening of structural components, corrosion silently damages products, equipment, and infrastructure across industries. This is why a corrosion test chamber becomes your most useful lab partner.
- Simulates years of environmental exposure in just days
- Predicts product lifespan
- Detects coating failures before they reach the market.
- Low chance of failure, hence reduced number of recalls, if ever required
- Meet client and regulatory durability standards.
Frequently Asked Questions on Salt Spray Testing Machine
Q1: Why do Coatings That Pass a Salt Spray Test Still Fail in real-world Use?
Ans: It happens all the time, be it cars, bridges, ships, whatever it is. But why? Because, the salt spray test only evaluates one type of corrosion stress—continuous salt fog. In the real world, materials are also exposed to UV light, temperature changes, abrasion, chemicals, and mechanical damage. So, while salt spray tests reveal the basic rust-resistance of a coating, other durability factors must be tested separately. That's why industries often combine salt spray with tests like cyclic corrosion, humidity, or UV exposure for a full performance profile.
Q2: Which Industries Benefit Most from Using a Salt Spray Chamber?
Ans: Any industry where metal, coatings, and performance under weathering are critical, salt spray chamber is useful for them.
Industries like automotive, marine, construction, aerospace, are mostly benefitted.
Q3: Is Salt Fog Test Reliable to Predict Long Term Corrosion Resistance?
Ans: Yes, this test for quickly identifying surface coating flaws and comparing corrosion resistance among materials but it doesn’t replicate outdoor conditions like drying cycles, UV exposure, or mechanical wear. So while a high-performance result in salt spray testing suggests good corrosion resistance, for realistic lifespan prediction, it's best used alongside cyclic corrosion tests.
Trusted salt spray chamber manufacturers like Presto offer chambers that comply with global standards, maintain stable test conditions, and support high-volume or industry-specific requirements. Due to the rugged build quality, the machine is also low on maintenance and cost-efficient in the long run.
Looking for a Salt Spray Chamber at the best price? Presto offers reliable and durable testing chambers to ensure accurate corrosion testing and product quality. Get expert guidance and cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs. Call +91 9210 903 903 or Email info@prestogroup.com today!
