Letter 17074

ASTM B-117 Test Interruption  

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Relocation requires shutting down a salt spray cabinet in which tests (B-117 [link is to spec at TechStreet]) are currently being run. Tests are 500 to 2000 hrs. duration. Shut-down time will be 2 days (50 hrs). Tests will then resume to meet required time-in-cabinet ie. 550 to 2050 hrs. I need an opinion on effect of quality of test as related to final test results. In other words, will the shut-down really change test outcome? I think not. Afterall, this is an accelerated test under very moderate conditions (temperature, environment, loads). If total time-in-test is achieved, a short shut-down should have little to no effect on end results. Any comments? Thanks.

Robert Nystrom
- Glastonbury, CT USA

Robert - I tend to agree with you that 2 days out of the salt spray chamber will not make a difference in the test. You won't know this, however, until you check the samples. Depending upon the material being tested, you may want to store them in a moist environment during the move. Wetting and drying conditions will usually accelerate a test.

Let us know how it turns out.

Cynthia L. Meade
- Sylvania, OH, USA

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