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The B117 standard was originally published in 1939 and has since become a standard test method in many industries. The test mimics an extremely corrosive environment by constantly exposing test specimens to a salt fog within a controlled chamber. The main purpose is to determine the corrosion resistance of coatings, surface treatments, and materials under accelerated conditions. Manufacturers, quality control laboratories, and research organizations employ this standard to guarantee that protective coatings can withstand environmental conditions, offering a good prediction of product life and field performance.
| Salt Solution Preparation | The solution is prepared by dissolving 5% sodium chloride in distilled water, ensuring pH levels between 6.5 and 7.2. |
| Chamber Conditions | The salt fog chamber is maintained at a temperature of 35°C, with a constant and uniform fog distribution. |
| Exposure Time | Test specimens are typically exposed for durations ranging from 24 to 1,000 hours, depending on the material and requirements. |
| Salt Spray Chamber | A corrosion test chamber equipped with atomizing nozzles, temperature control, and uniform fog dispersion system. |
| Specimen Mounting | Samples are mounted at a 15 to 30-degree angle from the vertical, ensuring no direct condensation on test surfaces. |
| Surface Cleaning | Samples are cleaned with distilled water or a neutral solvent to remove oils, dirt, and contaminants before testing. |
Upon exposure, the test specimens are examined for corrosion in the form of rusting, pitting, blistering, or coating degradation. The test results are generally expressed as a percentage of area affected or time to failure. Although B117 gives direction for conducting the test, it does not provide pass or fail standards; rather, these are set by product specification or contractual requirement. The test is generally accepted as being uniform, though it is not necessarily indicative of true field corrosion behavior because it is accelerated and aggressive. As such, results must be interpreted against comparative tests rather than absolute field prediction.
| Service Name | Remarks |
|---|---|
| ASTM B117 Testing | Contact US |
The standard is related to ASTM G85 for modified salt spray, ISO 9227 for corrosion testing in artificial atmospheres, and ASTM D1654 for testing coatings on substrates by means of intentional scribing and exposure. Each of these standards is supplementary to ASTM B117 in the sense that it addresses some other areas of corrosion testing or more sophisticated testing environments.
It is a widely used standard in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, marine, construction, and metal finishing. It ensures vehicle components can withstand salt and moisture exposure, assesses protective coatings on aircraft, ensures materials and coatings can withstand saltwater exposure, and evaluates the durability of metal structures in construction. It remains a crucial tool for predicting product performance and quality assurance.