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Auto Technology CCT-NC cyclic corrosion chamber interior showing multiple spray heads and horizontal dispersion towers for uniform salt fog distribution.

GMW 3172 9.4.8 Salt Spray Test Chamber – X Series Size 40

The Auto Technology X Series Size 40 is configured for the high-volume direct spray required by GMW 3172 Section 9.4.8. The system provides approximately 39 ft³ (1106 L) of usable test volume and uses additional hollow-cone spray heads, a higher-capacity pump, solution recirculation, and a cooling loop that returns the collected solution to the required ambient temperature before reuse.

  • Spray System: Multiple hollow-cone nozzles operating at approximately 2 L/min per nozzle
  • Coverage Requirement: Complete specimen wetting within one minute
  • Solution System: High-capacity pump, runoff collection, recirculation, and solution cooling
  • Solution Temperature: Maintained at room temperature, 23°C ±5°C, before spraying
  • Control System: PC-based control of heating, spray, solution cooling, recirculation, cover operation, and cycle timing

This configuration specifically targets GMW 3172 Section 9.4.8. Sections 9.4.7 and 9.4.9 use different corrosion procedures and may require different chamber configurations.

SKU: XERIES20-GMW-3172 Categories: , Tag:

Description

The X Series Size 40 GMW 3172 Salt Spray Test Chamber is configured for the high-volume direct spray procedure in
GMW 3172 Section 9.4.8.
It provides approximately 39 ft³ (1106 L) of usable internal test volume and combines multiple high-flow spray heads, a higher-capacity pump, solution recirculation, solution cooling, controlled specimen heating, still-air drying, and PC-based test sequencing.


X Series high-volume direct spray system for GMW 3172 salt spray testing
Example X Series high-volume direct-spray hardware. Final nozzle quantity, position, and specimen fixtures are configured around the GMW 3172 test load.

High-Volume Direct Spray
Multiple hollow-cone nozzles provide approximately 2 L/min per nozzle and wet the complete specimen area within one minute.

Recirculating Solution System
Collected solution is returned to the supply system instead of requiring a new volume of solution for every spray interval.

Cooled Solution Return
The recirculated solution is brought back to the required 23°C ±5°C room-temperature range before it is sprayed again.


Request a GMW 3172 Size 40 Quote

Provide the applicable GMW 3172 revision, required subsection, specimen dimensions, sample quantity, vehicle orientation, harness requirements, and test duration.

GMW 3172 Corrosion Method Selection

GMW 3172 contains several corrosion procedures. The high-volume X Series configuration described on this page is intended for Section 9.4.8, Salt Spray. It should not be treated as the universal equipment configuration for every GMW 3172 corrosion test.

GMW 3172 section Procedure Primary application
9.4.7 Salt Mist Interior components using the applicable IEC 60068-2-52 cyclic salt-mist procedure
9.4.8 High-volume directed Salt Spray Configuration described on this page. Used for applicable non-interior vehicle components.
9.4.9 Alternate Salt Spray using GMW 14872 Non-interior components with current flowing on exposed surfaces, or other approved applications

Applicability: Section 9.4.8 applies to non-interior vehicle components except components with current flowing on exposed surfaces. Those components use the GMW 14872 alternative in Section 9.4.9 unless otherwise approved.

GMW 3172 Section 9.4.8 Daily Cycle

One 24-hour GMW 3172 9.4.8 cycle contains three specimen-heating periods, three one-hour salt-spray periods, two one-hour still-air drying periods, and one final 16-hour still-air drying period.

Step Duration Required condition
Heat specimens 1 hour Unpowered specimens heated so their surfaces reach 70°C ±5°C in 55 ±5 minutes
Salt spray 1 hour Heat off; salt solution at room temperature, 23°C ±5°C
Still-air dry 1 hour 23°C ±5°C with the chamber lid or door open, or with slight chamber venting
Repeat 6 hours Repeat the heat, spray, and one-hour dry sequence two additional times
Final still-air dry 16 hours 23°C ±5°C with the chamber lid or door open, or with slight venting

The complete sequence totals 24 hours. Test duration is selected from the applicable location requirements in GMW 3172.

Multi-Head High-Volume Spray System

GMW 3172 9.4.8 requires at least six test specimens and calls for the complete area of each specimen to be wetted within one minute. The standard specifies approximately one hollow-cone nozzle per test specimen, with each nozzle operating at approximately 2 L/min.

The X Series GMW 3172 package adds spray heads and uses a higher-capacity pump to support the combined flow of the required nozzles. Nozzle position and specimen fixtures are configured around the test-object geometry and documented vehicle orientations.


Adjustable direct spray heads inside an X Series GMW 3172 salt spray chamber
Example adjustable direct-spray hardware inside an X Series chamber. GMW 3172 nozzle type, quantity, and position are configured for the required specimen load.

GMW 3172 spray requirements

  • Minimum of six test specimens
  • Complete specimen wetting within one minute
  • Approximately one nozzle per specimen
  • Hollow-cone nozzle type
  • Approximately 2 L/min flow per nozzle
  • Specimens positioned 40–60 cm from the nozzles
  • Avoid overlapping spray patterns when multiple nozzles are needed for one specimen

Minimum flow implication: Six nozzles operating at approximately 2 L/min for one hour deliver approximately 720 L during one spray interval. Because the daily cycle contains three spray intervals, the minimum six-nozzle arrangement circulates approximately 2160 L during each 24-hour cycle.

Solution Recirculation and Cooling

The spray flow required by GMW 3172 9.4.8 makes a recirculating solution system practical. The X Series package collects the sprayed solution, returns it to the supply system, and prepares it for the next spray interval.

The test specimens are heated to 70°C ±5°C before each spray interval. Solution returning from the chamber can therefore gain heat. GMW 3172 requires the solution to be at room temperature, 23°C ±5°C, when it is sprayed. The recirculation package includes a cooling mechanism to bring the returned solution back into that temperature range before reuse.


X Series solution tank and pump equipment for high-volume corrosion spray testing
Example X Series solution-tank and pump hardware. The GMW 3172 package adds the required high-flow and solution-temperature-control equipment.

Recirculation sequence

  1. Supply the solution to the multi-head spray system.
  2. Collect runoff from the exposure zone.
  3. Return the collected solution to the recirculation system.
  4. Cool the solution to 23°C ±5°C.
  5. Resupply the conditioned solution during the next spray interval.

Equipment distinction: GMW 3172 defines the required solution temperature and spray conditions. Recirculation and cooling are the X Series engineering approach used to manage the required volume while maintaining those conditions.

GMW 3172 9.4.8 Salt Solution

Section 9.4.8 uses a sodium chloride solution prepared with deionized water. Solution temperature and pH must be maintained during testing.

Parameter GMW 3172 requirement
Sodium chloride 5 parts NaCl, ±1 part, by weight
Water 95 parts deionized water
Solution pH 6.5–7.2 during the test
Spray temperature Room temperature, 23°C ±5°C

Specimen Orientation and Harness Routing

The chamber layout must provide the required spray distance and coverage while accommodating production-intent connectors, seals, and wire harnesses. Harness routing must allow post-test functional evaluation without disturbing the connection-system interface.

Minimum specimens Required orientation
Two Major vehicle orientation
Two Opposite the major vehicle orientation, rotated 180° around the vertical axis
Two Connectors facing directly toward the spray nozzles; these may overlap with the other required orientations

All specimen orientations must be documented graphically in the test plan.

Still-Air Drying and Cover Operation

GMW 3172 9.4.8 requires still-air drying at 23°C ±5°C by opening the chamber lid or door or by slightly venting the chamber. Automated cover lifters can be used to expose the specimens to room air during the two one-hour dry stages and the final 16-hour dry stage.

Automated cover lifters supporting programmed exposure to laboratory room air.

X Series PC-Based Control

GMW 3172 9.4.8 requires repeated coordination of specimen heating, high-volume spray, solution-temperature control, still-air drying, and daily cycling. The X Series PC control system sequences these chamber and solution functions.

  • Specimen heating and timed spray intervals
  • Multi-head spray-pump control
  • Solution recirculation and cooling control
  • Automated cover or vent operation
  • Cycle timing, status, alarms, and operating data
  • Stored test profiles for repeat operation

X Series PC controls for GMW 3172 salt spray testing
X Series PC-based control platform for chamber operation, solution-system control, and test records.

GMW 3172 9.4.8 Test Duration

Component location Duration
Wet side of door interior 20 days / 480 hours
Non-interior component with indirect salt-spray exposure 30 days / 720 hours
Non-interior component with direct salt-spray exposure 40 days / 960 hours

X Series Size 40 GMW 3172 Chamber

The Size 40 provides space for the minimum six-sample arrangement, multiple vehicle orientations, production-intent harnesses, and the nozzle-to-specimen distance required by Section 9.4.8. Final fixtures and nozzle positions are configured around the actual component geometry.

Usable test volume

Approximately 39 ft³

Approximately 1106 liters

Internal dimensions

75 × 36 × 25 in

191 × 92 × 64 cm


X Series Size 40 GMW 3172 salt spray chamber dimensions
X Series Size 40 chamber dimensional reference.

The installed footprint increases with the recirculation tank, solution cooler, higher-capacity pump, controls, harness routing, exhaust, and required service clearance.

Configure a Size 40 Chamber for GMW 3172 9.4.8

Specify the GMW 3172 revision and subsection, specimen dimensions, required orientations, sample quantity, harness routing, vehicle location, IP classification, and test duration.


Request Configuration Assistance

GMW 3172 Salt Spray Chamber FAQ

What is GMW 3172 Section 9.4.8?

Section 9.4.8 is a high-volume directed salt-spray test for applicable non-interior vehicle electrical and electronic components. It combines specimen heating, room-temperature salt spray, and still-air drying.

Is GMW 3172 9.4.8 a conventional salt fog test?

No. Section 9.4.8 uses directed hollow-cone spray nozzles operating at approximately 2 L/min per nozzle. Section 9.4.7 is the separate cyclic salt-mist procedure.

Why does the chamber require more spray heads?

GMW 3172 requires the complete area of each specimen to be wetted within one minute and specifies approximately one nozzle per specimen. The minimum test uses six specimens, and additional heads may be needed for larger or more complex parts.

Why is a higher-capacity pump required?

Each hollow-cone nozzle operates at approximately 2 L/min. Six simultaneously operating nozzles therefore require approximately 12 L/min before allowing for any additional nozzles needed for specimen coverage.

Why does the GMW 3172 chamber recirculate the solution?

The minimum six-nozzle configuration delivers approximately 720 L during each one-hour spray interval, and the daily cycle contains three spray intervals. Collecting and recirculating the solution manages this high delivered volume without requiring a new supply for every interval.

Why must the recirculated solution be cooled?

The specimens are heated to 70°C ±5°C before spraying, so the returned solution can gain heat. GMW 3172 requires the solution to be sprayed at room temperature, 23°C ±5°C. The cooling loop returns the solution to that range before reuse.

What is the difference between GMW 3172 Sections 9.4.7, 9.4.8, and 9.4.9?

Section 9.4.7 is a cyclic salt-mist test for interior components. Section 9.4.8 is the directed high-volume salt-spray test for applicable non-interior components. Section 9.4.9 uses GMW 14872 as an alternate procedure for components with current flowing on exposed surfaces and for other approved applications.

Why is this configuration only available in the X Series?

The procedure requires coordinated high-flow multi-head spray, solution collection, recirculation, solution cooling, specimen heating, still-air drying, and extended automatic cycling. The X Series provides the PC-based control and expanded equipment configuration needed for this package.

What is the capacity of the X Series Size 40?

The Size 40 provides approximately 39 ft³ or 1106 L of usable test volume with internal dimensions of 75 × 36 × 25 inches.

What information is needed to quote a GMW 3172 chamber?

Provide the applicable GMW 3172 revision and subsection, specimen dimensions, sample quantity, vehicle orientations, harness requirements, vehicle location, IP classification, test duration, available utilities, and any planned intermediate removals.

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