
plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989
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Standards for salt spray testing
Dear sir/madam:
We are a company doing electroplating on ABS plastic with the process of copper, nickel and chrome plating. I would like to know about the standards for certain laboratory testings which are:
1.normal salt spray test.
2.copper accelerated salt spray test(cass)
3.acetic accelerated salt spray test(ass)
Please tell me about the standards which are; temp.; salt sol conc. and ph. Also tell me how much a slight difference in these standards, can affect the results. Please write to me soon.
Thanx and regards
Sandeep Jainplastics - New Delhi, India
The answers to all of your questions should be found in ASTM B117 [affil link] and ASTM B368 [affil link]. ASTM B117 [affil link] is the specification for salt spray. ASTM B368 [affil link] is the specification for the CASS test. CASS testing uses both copper and acetic acid, and I do not think there is a standard test that uses only copper or only acetic acid. CASS testing is appropriate for specific finishes only. We use CASS to test our nickel-chrome platings. Salt spray is the most universally accepted corrosion test method, and is the "default" test.

Tim Neveau
Rochester Hills, Michigan
You may also want to refer to ASTM ASTM G85 [affil link], which includes an acetic acid salt spray. ISO 9227 [affil link] includes procedures for salt spray, cass and acetic acid.
Cynthia L. Meade- Sylvania, Ohio, USA

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