Laboratory salt spray corrosion tests
You wish to evaluate the resistance of your materials to corrosion thanks to salt spray tests...
Corrosion of materials is one of the main concerns of manufacturers who wish to develop and market their metal parts. Due to environmental phenomena, it is sometimes difficult to control and anticipate. Thus, corrosion is a failure that can appear during installation or over time.
Salt spray corrosion tests are a technique to study and anticipate the corrosion resistance of metal parts in an artificial atmosphere. FILAB carries out neutral salt spray (NSS) or acetic acid (AASS) analyses. FILAB has QCT condensation chambers for carrying out your analysis.
What is a salt spray test?
Salt spray testing is a laboratory method used to assess the corrosion resistance of materials and coatings used in industry. This technique involves exposing the sample to a salt spray generated by a saline solution. The duration of exposure depends on the type of material and the required corrosion resistance.
During these laboratory tests, the formation time, structure and density of the corrosion are observed. These analyses provide an accurate assessment of the ability of a material to resist corrosion in highly corrosive environments, but also to assess the quality of coatings (metallic, organic, anodic oxides or conversion layers).
Why assess corrosion resistance with salt spray tests?
The results of this test determine whether materials meet the necessary standards and regulations and whether their service life will be sufficient in real conditions. The salt spray test is therefore of considerable importance for industrial sectors, including automotive, aerospace and metallurgy.
Salt spray tests simulate prolonged exposure to an aggressive environment, thus making it possible to quickly identify the materials and coatings that are most resistant to corrosion. The reliability of these tests makes them an essential tool for ensuring the durability and quality of their products, and avoiding material failures and ruptures.
Salt Spray Test Laboratory – ASTM B117 & ISO 9227 Standards
At FILAB, we specialize in conducting salt spray tests (also known as salt fog tests) to assess the corrosion resistance of materials, surface treatments and protective coatings.
This accelerated corrosion testing method is essential for predicting the long-term durability of components exposed to harsh or aggressive environments. Whether you're validating a new product, evaluating the performance of anti-corrosion treatments, or ensuring compliance with industrial standards, our ISO 17025-accredited laboratory provides high-quality testing tailored to your technical and regulatory needs.
We follow internationally recognized protocols such as ASTM B117, one of the most widely used standards for salt spray testing, and ISO 9227, which is commonly required in Europe.
These standards define the controlled conditions under which samples are exposed to a saline atmosphere, allowing manufacturers to compare the corrosion performance of different materials or coatings in a reproducible way.
FILAB combines state-of-the-art equipment with expert interpretation of results to help you identify weak points, validate solutions and improve product reliability.
Understanding the salt spray test (ASTM B117)
The salt spray test is an accelerated corrosion testing method that exposes samples to a saline mist environment to simulate and evaluate their resistance to corrosive conditions. According to the ASTM B117 standard, specimens are placed in a chamber where a 5% sodium chloride solution is atomized at a controlled temperature of 35°C. The duration of the test varies depending on the material and the specific requirements, ranging from 24 hours to over 1000 hours for highly corrosion-resistant coatings.
Industries benefiting from salt spray testing
Automotive: assessing the corrosion resistance of car parts and coatings.
Aerospace: ensuring the durability of components exposed to harsh environments
Construction: evaluating building materials and protective coatings.
Marine: testing materials used in shipbuilding and offshore structures
By simulating long-term exposure to corrosive environments, salt spray tests help in quality control, product development, and compliance with industry standards.
FILAB laboratory performs salt spray corrosion tests according to the standards in force
Salt spray tests are governed by a regulatory framework that sets the specific operating conditions for these corrosion tests. Thus, the ISO 9227 and ASTM B 117 standards provide that the parts to be evaluated are placed in a test chamber in which a salty solution is sprayed at a certain temperature.
Our services and technical resources for salt spray testing
FILAB Laboratory implements various technical means to carry out salt spray tests. Our goal is to provide accurate and reliable results to our industry customers. We use state-of-the-art measuring instruments to assess the corrosion resistance of surfaces such as paint coatings or metals.
FILAB, salt spray testing lab, offers its salt spray testing services in the following cases:
Salt spray tests following surface defects
Quality control of coatings on your metal parts
Quality control of the coatings of your metal parts
Abnormal failure of your metal parts (breakage, corrosion, surface defects...)
Tests DTRF 150608
ISO 9227 standard for salt spray testing
ISO 9227 defines test procedures for measuring the corrosion resistance of metals and alloys. It provides clear guidelines for setting up these tests and accurately measuring their results for corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres.
ISO 9227 is used in industry to assess product performance and longevity under harsh conditions.
Other salt spray test standards
NF EN ISO 2409 Paints and varnishes - Grid test
NF EN ISO 4628-3 Assessment of the degree of curling
NF EN ISO 4628-8 Assessment of the degree of delamination around a scratch or artificial defect
NF EN ISO 4628-2 Assessment of the degree of blistering
NF EN ISO 4628-5 Assessment of the degree of flaking
Why choose FILAB for your salt spray tests?
With a team of engineers and doctors in metallic materials, the FILAB laboratory offers its knowledge and expertise to perform salt spray tests on your metallic parts.
Our specialists can also come directly to your world to understand the problems and provide you with concrete and sustainable solutions through an on-site audit. We offer you a tailor-made support, personalized to your needs, in order to improve your production processes and thus avoid failures.
To support you in the best conditions, FILAB salt spray testing lab, is approved for Research Tax Credit (RTC) and accredited COFRAC ISO 17025.
See also...
Characterization of metals
FAQ
A salt spray test in a laboratory, also known as a salt fog test, is a standardized method used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of a sample with a coating or treatment. It involves exposing the sample to a controlled salt water fog environment to simulate the corrosive effects of salt water.
In a laboratory salt spray test, the sample is placed in a controlled test chamber where it is exposed to a fine mist of salt water. The chamber creates a corrosive environment that simulates the effects of salt water exposure. The sample is observed for a set period of time to assess its resistance to corrosion and any degradation that occurs.
There are different types of salt spray tests performed in the laboratory and especially at Filab, such as:
- Neutral Salt Spray (NSS): This test uses a sodium chloride solution to create a neutral salt spray environment.
- Acetic Acid Salt Spray (AASS): This test adds acetic acid to the sodium chloride solution, creating an acidic salt spray environment.
- Cyclic Corrosion Test (CCT): This test involves alternating between salt spray and other environmental conditions, such as humidity or drying, to simulate real-world corrosion cycles.
Materials that can be tested by a salt spray testing laboratory mainly include metallic materials such as steel, aluminum, copper and their alloys. However, it is also possible to test other materials such as stone, ceramics and polymers. These materials are usually coated with a surface coating intended to provide some protection against corrosion of the underlying metal.
If you are part of the following industries, you may need Filab and its salt spray testing laboratory for your business. The tests performed ensure the quality, durability and reliability of your products in corrosive environments.
- Automotive Industry: Salt spray testing is used to assess the corrosion resistance of automotive components exposed to corrosive environments, such as salted roads in winter or coastal areas.
- Aerospace Industry: Salt spray testing is used to verify the corrosion resistance of materials and coatings used in aircraft, which are subjected to extreme environmental conditions.
- Marine Industry: Salt spray testing is important for assessing the corrosion resistance of ships, marine structures and equipment used in marine environments, where they are exposed to salt water.
- Outdoor Equipment Industry: Products such as patio furniture, barbecue grills, sports equipment, and recreational equipment must be resistant to corrosion caused by outdoor conditions, including exposure to salt elements.
- Coatings and Paints Industry: Coatings and paint manufacturers conduct salt spray testing to assess the effectiveness of their products in protecting against corrosion.
- Electronics Industry: Electronics used in salty environments, such as marine equipment, must be salt spray tested to ensure they are able to resist corrosion.
- Building Materials Industry: Materials used in construction, such as metal coatings and steel structures, must be salt spray tested to ensure their durability and resistance to corrosion in corrosive environments.
Neutral salt spray (NSS) or acetic acid (AASS) tests are industrial testing techniques used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of different materials. The choice between these two tests depends on the environment in which the material will be used.
The NSS test applies a neutral salt solution to the material, while the AASS test uses an acetic solution to simulate exposure to industrial gases and fumes. Although these tests are similar, they have important differences in their execution and interpretation.
A salt spray test is a standardized method to evaluate the corrosion resistance of materials and coatings by exposing them to a saline mist environment.
The duration varies based on the material and the specific requirements, typically ranging from 24 hours to over 1000 hours.
ASTM B117 provides a standardized procedure for conducting salt spray tests, ensuring consistency and reliability in assessing corrosion resistance.
Metals, coatings, and surface treatments used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and construction, can be evaluated using salt spray tests.
