Considerations when purchasing a Corrosion Test Chamber

When purchasing a corrosion test chamber, various factors need to be considered to ensure it meets your specific testing requirements. Here are some key considerations:

1. Type of Corrosion Testing

• Salt Spray (Fog) Testing: Simulates harsh marine environments, commonly used for metallic coatings and paints.
• Cyclic Corrosion Testing (CCT): Alternates between salt spray, drying, and humidity conditions to more accurately replicate real-world conditions.
• Humidity Testing: Simulates high-humidity environments, useful for coatings and polymers.
• SO2 Testing (Kesternich): Used for testing corrosion caused by sulfur dioxide.

Ensure the chamber supports the specific tests required for your materials or standards (e.g., ASTM B117, ISO 9227).

2. Size and Capacity

• Chamber Volume: Ensure the chamber is large enough to accommodate your test samples without overcrowding.
• Internal Racks and Shelving: Verify whether the chamber comes with flexible or adjustable shelving to fit various sizes of test pieces.

3. Material and Build Quality

• Corrosion Resistance: The interior of the chamber should be made of corrosion-resistant materials, typically high-quality plastics or coated metals, to prevent degradation.
• Construction: The chamber should be durable, well-sealed, and able to maintain a consistent test environment.

4. Temperature and Humidity Control

• Temperature Range: Check the chamber’s ability to control temperatures, especially if cyclic testing or temperature-specific tests are needed.
• Humidity Control: Look for chambers with precise humidity control, particularly if you’re conducting combined temperature-humidity testing.
• Uniformity: Ensure the chamber provides uniform temperature and humidity levels across all samples to avoid skewed results.

5. Standards Compliance

Ensure the chamber can meet the required test standards for your industry (e.g., ASTM, ISO, IEC, or JIS standards). Compliance with specific standards is critical for reproducibility and meeting regulatory requirements.

Consider not only the test standards that you currently need to perform, but also bear in mind any that you may wish to perform in the future, and if any additional accessories will be needed for this.  Many of our accessories can be added later, whilst some are factory fit only, or require a factory fitted interface to allow the addition of an accessory at a later date

6. Automation and Control Systems

• User Interface: Look for an intuitive, easy-to-use control system for setting up test parameters.
• Programmable Cycles: If you’re performing complex cyclic corrosion tests, the ability to program and automate cycles is essential.
• Data Logging and Connectivity: Some chambers come with integrated data logging, enabling easier monitoring and reporting.

7. Maintenance and Calibration

• Ease of Cleaning: The chamber should be easy to clean and maintain. Salt deposits and other corrosive materials can build up, affecting performance.
• Calibration: Check if the chamber is easy to calibrate and if calibration services or tools are provided by the manufacturer.
• Consumables We supply compliant salt for salt spray testing, CR4 test panels and spares and consumables kits.  These can be purchased online to make life even easier.

8. Safety Features

• Leak Detection: Some chambers come with leak detectors to prevent any external corrosion damage or chemical hazards.
• Over-Temperature Protection: Ensure the chamber has safety mechanisms like over-temperature shutoff to prevent equipment failure or safety risks.

9. Cost and Energy Efficiency

• Initial Purchase Cost: Compare prices but ensure that lower-cost models still meet your test requirements.
• Operating Costs: Consider the power consumption, water usage, and maintenance requirements, which contribute to long-term operating costs.
• Energy Efficiency: Energy-efficient models will reduce operating costs, particularly if the chamber will be used frequently.

10. Customer Support and Warranty

• Manufacturer Reputation: Choose a supplier with a solid reputation for reliable and well-built chambers.
• After-Sales Support: Ensure the availability of spare parts, calibration services, and technical support.
• Warranty: Review the warranty terms and conditions, especially concerning the key components like control systems, heating elements, and seals.

11. Additional Features

• Salt Fog Collection: Some chambers are equipped with features to collect and measure the amount of salt fog during testing.
• Sample Viewing Windows: If observation during testing is required, a clear viewing window with proper lighting is beneficial.

12. External Utilities

Your corrosion chamber will require power supply as well as connections to pressurised de-ionised water, compressed air, drainage and exhaust venting. If these are not available, we can advise on suitable accessories to enable chamber operation.

By considering these factors, you can ensure that the corrosion test chamber you choose meets your needs, performs reliably, and offers a good return on investment.

For further help and advice, please contact us