Salt Spray Chamber ASTM B117: Complete Guide to Salt Spray Testing Machines

Corrosion is one of the biggest enemies of metals and coated materials. Every year, industries lose billions due to rusting and surface deterioration caused by environmental exposure. To overcome this challenge, quality control and R&D teams rely on accelerated corrosion testing methods. Among them, the salt spray test machine—commonly known as a salt spray chamber or salt spray fog cabinet—is the most widely used.

A salt spray chamber ASTM B117 compliant setup ensures that the test environment meets international standards, providing reliable and repeatable results. In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about salt spray testing: what it is, how it works, its importance across industries, and how to choose the right salt spray chamber manufacturer for your business.

What is a Salt Spray Chamber?

A salt spray chamber (or salt spray test chamber) is a laboratory testing instrument designed to simulate a highly corrosive environment. It works by spraying a fine mist of saltwater solution inside a closed chamber, exposing test specimens—such as metal parts, painted surfaces, or coated materials—to an artificial corrosive atmosphere.

The purpose of this test is to determine how resistant the material or coating is to corrosion when subjected to long-term salt exposure. Since real-world rusting can take months or years, a salt spray testing machine accelerates the process, allowing manufacturers to predict product life within hours or days.

This makes salt spray chambers an indispensable tool for industries like automotive, aerospace, defense, construction, and consumer goods.

ASTM B117 – The Standard for Salt Spray Testing

The ASTM B117 standard, introduced in 1939, is the most globally recognized test method for salt spray (fog) testing. If you want accurate, repeatable, and comparable test results, you must use a salt spray chamber ASTM B117 compliant.

Key Requirements of ASTM B117:

• Solution: 5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution made with distilled or deionized water.

• pH Range: Salt solution must be between 6.5 and 7.2.

• Temperature: Chamber temperature maintained at 35°C ± 2°C.

• Atomization: Continuous fogging of the solution using a corrosion-resistant nozzle.

• Duration: Test durations vary from 24 hours to over 1000 hours, depending on application.

By following ASTM B117, a salt spray fog cabinet ensures consistent test conditions across industries and laboratories worldwide.

How Does a Salt Spray Test Machine Work?

The working principle of a salt spray test chamber is simple yet highly effective.

1. Preparation of Salt Solution – Distilled water is mixed with 5% NaCl to form a salt solution.

2. Atomization Process – Compressed air is used to atomize the solution into a fine fog.

3. Fog Dispersion – The mist circulates uniformly inside the chamber, ensuring all specimens are exposed equally.

4. Temperature Control – A heating system maintains the internal temperature as per ASTM standards.

5. Testing Period – Samples are placed on racks and exposed for pre-defined durations.

6. Evaluation – After the test, samples are checked for rust spots, blistering, peeling, or coating failure.

The test provides valuable data on product performance and coating effectiveness, helping manufacturers ensure long-term reliability.

Applications of Salt Spray Testing

The salt spray chamber has broad applications across industries:

• Automotive Industry – Testing car parts, fasteners, nuts, bolts, and painted panels for corrosion resistance.

• Aerospace & Defense – Evaluating aircraft materials and defense equipment exposed to marine or harsh environments.

• Construction – Ensuring structural steel, galvanized sheets, and rebar coatings resist rust.

• Electronics – Verifying corrosion resistance of connectors, PCBs, and enclosures.

• Paints, Coatings & Plating – Assessing effectiveness of powder coatings, zinc plating, and protective paints.

• Marine Applications – Checking ship parts, offshore equipment, and metal fittings against seawater corrosion.

Wherever product durability matters, a salt spray testing machine plays a vital role.

Benefits of Using a Salt Spray Chamber

1. Accelerated Results – Predict years of corrosion behavior within days.

2. Standardized Testing – Compliance with ASTM B117, ISO 9227, and JIS Z 2371 ensures credibility.

3. Improved Product Quality – Identifies weaknesses in coatings before products reach customers.

4. Reduced Warranty Claims – Prevents costly product failures in real-world use.

5. Supports R&D – Helps engineers develop better, more durable coatings and surface treatments.

Choosing the Right Salt Spray Chamber Manufacturer

Not all chambers are created equal. When choosing a salt spray chamber manufacturer, consider:

• ✅ Compliance – Ensure the chamber meets ASTM B117 and other international standards.

• ✅ Durability – Look for FRP or stainless steel construction resistant to corrosion.

• ✅ Capacity – Select a size based on your testing needs (small samples vs. bulk components).

• ✅ Ease of Operation – User-friendly controls, programmable settings, and safety features.

• ✅ Support & Service – A manufacturer that offers installation, calibration, and technical support is crucial.

A trusted salt spray test machine manufacturer will not only supply equipment but also help with training, setup, and long-term maintenance.

FAQs on Salt Spray Testing

Q1. How long should a salt spray test run?
It depends on the product and standard. Typical durations are 24, 48, 96, 240, 500, or even 1000+ hours.

Q2. Does salt spray testing replicate real-world corrosion?
It provides accelerated and comparative results but does not fully replicate all environmental factors. However, it is highly effective for quality control.

Q3. Is ASTM B117 the only standard?
No. Other standards include ISO 9227 (NSS test), JIS Z 2371, and DIN 50021. ASTM B117, however, remains the most recognized worldwide.

Q4. What materials can be tested?
Metals, coated steel, galvanized surfaces, paints, powder coatings, plated parts, and even certain plastics.

Conclusion

For industries where product reliability is paramount, a salt spray test chamber ASTM B117 is a must-have quality control tool. Whether you call it a salt spray fog cabinet, salt spray test machine, or salt spray testing chamber, its role in ensuring corrosion resistance cannot be overstated.

By partnering with a reliable salt spray chamber manufacturer, you can guarantee compliance, durability, and consistency in testing. This investment not only boosts product quality but also strengthens your brand reputation in competitive markets.

Get in Touch

Looking for a trusted salt spray test machine manufacturer? Presto Group offers world-class, ASTM B117 compliant salt spray chambers designed for precision, reliability, and durability.

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Our experts will help you select the right salt spray testing machine for your industry needs.