Salt spray testing, also known as salt fog testing, is a standardized laboratory test used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of materials and surface coatings. It is a widely adopted method in industries such as automotive, aerospace, marine, and manufacturing, where products are exposed to corrosive environments.
The test involves placing a sample in a sealed chamber where a fine mist of a salt solution, typically sodium chloride (NaCl), is continuously sprayed under controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
The process simulates the long-term effects of environmental exposure, such as coastal air or road salts, in a compressed timeframe. Standards like ASTM B117 and ISO 9227 guide the test procedure to ensure consistency and reliability.
Salt spray testing provides critical data to assess material durability, compare protective coatings, and predict a product's lifespan. However, it is often combined with other tests to account for real-world conditions like UV exposure, cyclic corrosion, and mechanical stress.
