In the previous post, we explained that it is not possible to determine exactly how many hours a specific type of stainless steel can resist during a salt spray test. But why is this type of test performed?
Purpose of the Salt Spray Test
The limits of the test are clearly defined by the ASTM International B117 specification.
This test:
- Provides a controlled corrosive environment designed to obtain information about the corrosion resistance of steel under standardized laboratory conditions
- Produces data that are rarely directly related to the prediction of material behavior in natural environments
- Often does not allow reliable predictions about performance under actual service conditions
- Can produce variable results depending on factors such as:
- the type of test material
- the evaluation criteria adopted
- the characteristics of the test chamber
Only long-term atmospheric exposure data can make it possible to establish meaningful correlations and extrapolations.
What Should You Do with Salt Spray Test Results?
Salt spray test results can be useful for several purposes. In particular, this test:
- Acts as a quality control tool for the production process
- Helps identify possible defects in the finished product during short-term service conditions
- Provides useful support for designing components that may be exposed to aggressive environments
- Can be used to evaluate the performance of different surface finishes applied to stainless steel products
Surface finishing has a significant influence on the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, especially with regard to atmospheric corrosion.
For this reason, the choice of surface finish is critical and should not be based only on aesthetic considerations. It is recommended to perform tests using different finishes and orientations, while also considering the required functional performance and long-term durability.
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