ENVIRONMENTAL SIMULATION
product life-cycle reliability
For many products, the lifespan is influenced by environmental factors. Oxygen, salt, UV radiation but also temperature and humidity play an important role in product aging. Since aging usually progresses over years, estimating the aging development is the objective. By means of targeted and accelerated tests, various materials and suitable protective measures can be tested and compared in a shortened time frame. This ensures product life reliability.
CORROSION TEST
Corrosion not only influences aesthetics, but also the functionality of components. By means of infiltration corrosion, for example, parts of a material composite can debond, protective lacquers can peel off, etc. Corrosive substances are thus intensified and concentrated on the test specimens or components to provoke a corrosive attack in a shorter period of time. Standardized procedures are generally used. In consultation with the customer, special procedures are also possible.
ACCELERATED AGING
Even if polymers do not rust, they are still subjected to environmental degradation. Their properties and thus their function may change, as the plastics become brittle or discolored, which affects the ductility and translucence. In order to characterize this behavior, plastics are subjected to accelerated aging in contact with concentrated chemicals, UV radiation or in temperature and humidity alternating climate conditions. This allows the behavior to be determined after a relatively short time and to enable a selection of suitable materials or additives.
COATING TESTS
Coatings often have an aesthetic and / or a protective (anti-corrosive) function. How well the coating performs this function can be determined by means of specific tests. Depending on the method, the coating is damaged or left intact and subsequently exposed to corrosive media and possibly a mechanical load. Ultimately, the appearance (e.g., gloss loss, color changes, sub-migration, etc.) and / or adhesion (e.g., cross-cut) are examined.
machines / methods
NSS
neutral salt spray according to ISO 9227
Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres (solution of sodium chloride spray) to evaluate corrosivity of metals or mettalic coatings with or without corrosion protection.
show details| sample preparation | by agreement |
| test chamber | Erichsen 606 / 1000 |
| test temperature | (35±2)°C |
| test solution | neutral, (5±0.5)% NaCl-solution with a pH-of 6,5 – 7,2. |
| test duration | by agreement |
| evaluation of the samples | by agreemen e.g.
|
AASS
acetic acid salt spray test according to ISO 9227
Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres (solution acetic acid salt spray) to evaluate corrosivity of metals or mettalic coatings with or without corrosion protection.
show details| sample preparation | by agreement |
| test chamber | Erichsen 606 / 1000 |
| test temperature | (35±2)°C |
| test solution | acetic acid, (5±0.5)% NaCl-solution with a pH-of 3,1 – 3,3. |
| test duration | by agreement |
| evaluation of the samples | by agreemen e.g.
|
CASS
copper-accelerated acetic acid salt spray test according to ISO 9227
Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres (solution of copper-accelerated acetic acid salt spray) to evaluate corrosivity of metals or mettalic coatings with or without corrosion protection.
show details| sample preparation | by agreement |
| test chamber | Erichsen 606 / 1000 |
| test temperature | (35±2)°C |
| test solution | acetic acid, (5±0.5)% NaCl-solution with 0.026% CuCl2.2H2O and a pH-of 3,1 – 3,3. |
| test duration | by agreement |
| evaluation of the samples | by agreemen e.g.
|
VDA climate change
VDA-climate change according to VDA 621-415
Cyclial corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres (salt spray / condensation / atmospheric) to evaluate corrosivity of metals or mettalic coatings with or without corrosion protection.
show details| sample preparation | by agreement |
| test chamber | Erichsen 606 / 1000 |
| test condition |
A cycle of the VDA climate change (duration 7 days) is defined as
* a cycle day is defined as follows: samples are exposed 8h at 40°C / 100 %r.H. condensation occurs during that time. Afterwards the samples are stored at atmospheric conditions for 16 h. |
| test duration | by agreement |
| sample evaluation | by agreement |
Filiform corrosion test
filiform corrosion test according to DIN EN 3665 A 3
Evaluation of protection by coating of aluminum alloys against filiform corrosion.
show details| sample preparation |
Die Lackschicht der Proben werden mit dem Ritzstichel nach Sikkens mit zwei ca. 50 mm langen, rechtwinklig zu einander stehenden Ritzkerben, welche bis ins Grundmaterial reichen, verletzt. |
| initiation | Animpfung der Proben während 60±5 Minuten in einer HCl-Gas enthaltenden Kammer mit anschliessender Zwischenlagerung bei Raumklima während 30 Minuten. |
| Exposure |
samples are exposed at (40±2)°C and (82±3)% r.H. |
| test duration | by agreement |
| sample evaluation | optical evaluation of filiform corroion formation according to DIN EN A3 |
Kondenswasser Konstantklimatest
Kondenswasser Konstantklimatest nach DIN EN ISO 6270-2
Bestimmung der Beständigkeit von Probekörpern in Kondenswasserklimaten.
Details anzeigen| Probenvorbereitung |
Gemäss Absprache |
| Prüfkammer | Liebisch KSW 300 |
| Prüfbedingungen |
(40±3)°C; 100% rel. Feuchtigkeit mit Betauung der Probenoberfläche |
| Prüfdauer | Gemäss Absprache |
| Probenbeurteilung | Gemäss Absprache |
Kesternichtest
Kesternichtest nach DIN 50018 KFW 2.0S
Beurteilung der Beständigkeit von Werkstoffen gegenüber kondensierender, schwefeldioxidhaltiger Feuchtigkeit.
Details anzeigen| Probenvorbereitung |
Gemäss Absprache |
| Prüfkammer | Liebisch KSE 300 |
| Prüfbedingungen |
8 Stunden (40±3)°C, bei 100% rel. Feuchtigkeit mit Betauung der Probenoberfläche und mit 0,66% V/V SO2 Belastung. Anschliessend 16 Stunden bei Raumklima. Dieser 24h-Zyklus entspricht einer Prüfrunde |
| Prüfdauer | Gemäss Absprache |
| Probenbeurteilung | Gemäss Absprache |
QUV-B
QUV-B - Test nach ASTM G 154 - 06
Beurteilung der Beständigkeit von Beschichtungen gegenüber ultravioletter Strahlung im Wechsel mit kondensierender Feuchtigkeit.
Details anzeigen| Probenvorbereitung |
Gemäss Absprache |
| Prüfgerät | QUV Schnellbewitterungsgerät, Modell: QUV/se |
| Strahlungsquelle | UVB 313 Lampe |
| Schwarztafeltemperatur |
Während der Bestrahlungsphase 60°C, während der Betauungsphase 50°C |
| Prüfbedingungen |
4 Stunden Bestrahlung anschliessend |
| Prüfdauer | Gemäss Absprache |
| Probenbeurteilung | Gemäss Absprache |
Auslagerungen
Wechsel- und Konstantklimaauslagerung
Bestimmung der Beständigkeit von Probekörpern in Wechsel- oder Konstantklimaauslagerungen.
Details anzeigen| Probenvorbereitung | Gemäss Absprache |
| Prüfkammer |
Vötsch VC 7034 |
| Temperaturbereich | -70 bis +180°C |
| Feuchtebereich | 10 bis 98% r.F. |
| Prüfdauer | Gemäss Absprache |
| Probenbeurteilung | Gemäss Apsprache |
Tauchtests
Wechsel- und Dauertauchtests
Bestimmung der Beständigkeit von Probekörpern in Wechsel- oder Dauertauchtests in unterschiedlichen Prüfmedien.
Details anzeigen| Probenvorbereitung | Gemäss Absprache |
| Prüflösung | Verschiedenste Prüflösungen möglich |
| Prüftemperatur | Gemäss Kundenwunsch |
| Prüfdauer | Gemäss Absprache |
| Probenbeurteilung | Gemäss Apsprache |
Spannungsrisskorrosionstests
Spannungsrisskorrosionstests gemäss LN 65666, VG 95105, ASTM G44-99
Beurteilung der Beständigkeit von Aluminium-Knetwerkstoffen gegen Spannungsrisskorrosion.
Details anzeigen| Probenvorbereitung | Gemäss Absprache |
| Prüflösung | Verschiedenste Prüflösungen möglich |
| Prüftemperatur | Gemäss Kundenwunsch |
| Prüfdauer | Gemäss Absprache |
| Probenbeurteilung | Gemäss Apsprache |
Contact environmental analysis
Christoph Deola
After his training in the pharmaceutical industry as a chemical laboratory assistant, Christoph Deola gained professional experience in the field of material testing in the machine industry. After his further training as a technical businessman, he built up profound knowledge in the field of surface treatment and corrosion testing at Alusuisse AG, focusing on environmental simulation tests. He still looks after this area for Suisse TP today.