salt spray test

What is a salt spray test and why is it important for determining corrosion resistance?

The salt spray test, often referred to as the salt mist test, is a widely used method for testing and evaluating the corrosion resistance of materials, especially metallic surfaces. This test simulates aggressive environmental conditions and thus offers the possibility of predicting how well a surface is protected against corrosion under real conditions.

Corrosion, often referred to as “rusting” in iron and steel, is the gradual breakdown of materials through chemical reactions with their surroundings. This is a common problem, especially with metal components, as they lose their mechanical properties, thereby reducing their service life and reliability. Therefore, it is crucial to know the corrosion resistance of a material before using it in a particular application.

The salt spray test provides a standardized method for quickly and reliably assessing corrosion resistance. During the test, the material is placed in a chamber in which a saline mist is created. This mist continually exposes the material to salt particles, which accelerate the corrosion process. The duration of the test may vary depending on how resilient the material is and what information is required.