Acetic acid salt spray test with copper chloride additive
This test is also known as the accelerated copper salt spray test. It is used to assess the susceptibility to corrosion of a metallic material, with or without corrosion protection, to a sodium chloride solution with copper chloride in acetic acid.
This test method is used to evaluate the corrosion behavior of decorative copper/nickel/chromium or nickel/chromium coatings on steel, zinc alloys, aluminum alloys and plastics designed for heavy duty use. It is also suitable for testing anodized aluminum.
For example, it can be tested according to the DIN EN ISO 9227 CASS, ASTM B368 standard or customer requirements.
| sample preparation | As agreed |
| test chamber | Erichsen 606/1000 |
| test temperature | (50±2)°C |
| inspection solution | (5±0.5)% acetic acid solution of NaCl with 0.026% CuCl2.2H2O and a pH of 3.1 – 3.3 |
| test duration | As agreed |
| sample evaluation | As agreed, e.g.
|
Example applications for salt spray tests
Salt spray tests for surfaces
The CASS test is widely used and useful for accepting specifications, evaluating simulated service conditions, manufacturing control, and research and development. It was developed specifically for decorative electroplated nickel-chromium and copper-nickel-chromium coatings. Application of the test has improved the quality of electroplated parts and led to the development of new and better plating processes.
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Salt spray tests for technical safety
The safety of components depends heavily on their area of application. That is why test specimens are exposed to corrosive media in time-lapse tests to provoke corrosion attacks. In particular, metallic components that are exposed to the environment should be tested for technical safety using salt spray tests.
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You can find an overview of further methods in the field of environmental simulation in our Lexicon – Environmental simulation
