Corrosion is one of the biggest problems affecting the automobile and manufacturing industries. Often low-quality products fall prey to corrosion much before they reach the marketplace. Quality products can also gather rust if they are exposed to environmental factors or due to improper storage. However, testing material or products using a salt spray chamber can help determine the corrosive properties of the material. This can help manufacturers outline the timeline or shelf life of the material.

The salt spray chamber is often used for material selection in the metal industry. However, it is crucial to clean the chamber before testing any material. The residue from the previous test can drastically impact the test results. It might also lead to inaccurate readings of the sample products. In this article, we will walk you through the importance of cleaning the salt spray chamber and practical tips to help clean it without any traces of the previous residue.

Salt Spray Chamber

The corrosion tester is often used for quality testing of equipment and sample material in various industries. The instrument acts as a lab stimulator in a highly corrosive environment. The salt spray chamber is designed to study the reaction of materials and analyze the surface. It is mainly used to study the effect of corrosion protective treatments such as coating, galvanizing, painting, anodizing and lubricants.

Choosing the right instrument plays a crucial role in the testing process. Only quality instruments can deliver accurate results that match the reaction when exposed to the material in natural environments. Testing instruments like Pacorr produce instruments made of highly durable material and advanced technology to enable convenient testing.

The salt spray chamber by Paocrr is made of fibre-reinforced plastic that facilitates long-lasting performance with the highest resistance to a corrosive environment. Following are the top 5 tips to clean the chamber effectively and prepare it for accurate testing.

Top 3 Tips To Clean The Salt Spray Chamber

Before initiating any salt spray test, it is imperative to clean the salt spray chamber meticulously. Start by removing any residue, debris, or previous test samples from the chamber. Thoroughly clean all surfaces, including the walls, floor, lid, and internal racks or holders.

Step 1: Rinse the chamber inside and out, including all the components, with deionized water. Deionized water helps remove particles, residual cleaning agents, or impurities. Comprehensive rinse covers all surfaces within the chamber, including the spray nozzles, air vents, and drainage system.

Step 2: Moisture can adversely affect the test environment, potentially altering the corrosion behaviour of the test specimens. Thoroughly dry the salt spray chamber following the cleaning and rinsing process.

Step 3: Verify the quality and concentration of the test solution. Prepare the test solution according to the specified concentration, as recommended by relevant industry standards, such as ASTM B117, ISO 9227 or JIS Z 2371.

Establishing and adhering to a routine maintenance schedule will help ensure consistent and reliable test results. Adhering to these requirements ensures that the test environment remains free from contaminants that could compromise the validity of the results. By maintaining high standards of cleanliness, the metal industry can effectively evaluate the performance of materials and coatings in corrosive environments, leading to the development of more durable and reliable products.

Final Thoughts
Before placing the test specimens inside the salt spray chamber, ensure they are properly cleaned and free from contaminants. Thoroughly degrease the samples using suitable solvents and methods specified by the test standards or industry best practices. Use appropriate cleaning agents recommended by the chamber manufacturer to eliminate contaminants that could affect the test results. Eliminating any potential sources of contamination that could compromise the accuracy of the test results enable convenient testing.