CORROSION PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAMS
Auto Technology's accredited corrosion proficiency testing programs give laboratories an objective comparison of the mass-loss results they produce. Participation can support applicable laboratory accreditation requirements, help monitor performance over time, and provide useful evidence when evaluating a new technician, new chamber, repaired chamber, or transferred test process.
The programs are administered by an A2LA-accredited ISO/IEC 17043 proficiency testing provider whose program manager has run Auto Technology's proficiency testing program for more than 10 years. The program is also supported by personnel experienced in corrosion testing, chamber operation, accredited calibration, equipment manufacturing, and corrosion test standards. When Auto Technology performs coupon mass measurements, those measurements are completed using calibrated equipment.
Objective Comparison
Compare your laboratory's mass-loss results with assigned values developed from participating laboratories.
Accreditation Support
Document external proficiency testing participation when it applies to your laboratory's accreditation plan.
Flexible Reporting
Join a formal twice-yearly round or request a time-sensitive comparison with historical program data.
Need help choosing a program or arranging a time-sensitive comparison? Contact Auto Technology.
How do you know you and your corrosion program is working right?
Proficiency testing provides an external check of the mass-loss results produced by your laboratory. It gives quality teams information that cannot be obtained from reviewing chamber settings, calibration records, or internal control data alone.
Benefits for Your Laboratory
- Compare your mass-loss results with results from laboratories performing the same corrosion test.
- Obtain independent evidence of laboratory performance.
- Support applicable ISO/IEC 17025 proficiency testing and accreditation activities.
- Monitor performance over time through repeated participation.
- Compare chambers, technicians, or facilities when each is evaluated separately.
- Identify results that may require further investigation.
Who Should Participate?
- Accredited laboratories with applicable proficiency testing requirements.
- Internal laboratories seeking an independent comparison of their corrosion results.
- Manufacturers testing for qualification, supplier approval, or quality control.
- Organizations commissioning a new, repaired, relocated, or modified corrosion chamber.
- Laboratories evaluating a new technician or transferring a test to another chamber or facility.
- Quality managers investigating unexpected or inconsistent mass-loss results.
What is directly evaluated:
Auto Technology directly evaluates the mass-loss results submitted by the participant and the participant's
ability to complete the program and submit the required results. The result may indicate that the laboratory
should review its chamber, technician practices, conditions, coupon handling, cleaning, measurements, or
calculations, but those individual factors are not separately evaluated or certified.
Available Corrosion Proficiency Testing Programs
Select the program that matches the corrosion test method performed by your laboratory. Each program includes standardized test coupons, program instructions, a reporting form, statistical evaluation, and the applicable report.
| Program | Test Method | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 550100 | ASTM B117 Salt Spray | ASTM B117 proficiency testing with participant-performed coupon cleaning and mass measurements |
| 550800 | ASTM B117 With Measurements | ASTM B117 proficiency testing with Auto Technology pre- and post-exposure coupon cleaning and mass measurements |
| 550200 | ASTM B368 CASS | ASTM B368 copper-accelerated acetic acid salt spray proficiency testing |
| 550400 | GMW14872 Cyclic Corrosion | GMW14872 cyclic corrosion proficiency testing |
| 550500 | SAE J2334 Cyclic Corrosion | SAE J2334 cyclic corrosion proficiency testing |
Need Auto Technology to perform the ASTM B117 measurements?
Program 550800 is for laboratories that cannot perform or prefer not to perform the required pre- and
post-exposure coupon cleaning and mass measurements themselves. Auto Technology completes those activities
using calibrated measurement equipment, while the participating laboratory performs the corrosion exposure.
This option is currently available only within the United States.
Formal Proficiency Testing and Time-Sensitive Comparisons
Formal Twice-Yearly PT Reports
Formal group reports are published twice each year. Laboratories submit their results by the applicable deadline and receive a confidential report comparing their results with the other participating laboratories included in that round.
Choose this option for scheduled participation, current peer comparison, or documentation supporting applicable ongoing accreditation activities.
Individual Historical Comparison Reports
If you cannot wait for the next formal round, Auto Technology can compare your submitted mass-loss results with applicable historical proficiency testing data and issue an individual report.
This option supports time-sensitive evaluations of a new technician, new or repaired chamber, transferred test method, unexpected result, or upcoming customer test.
If a report must satisfy a particular accreditation or customer requirement, tell Auto Technology before ordering so the appropriate program and report type can be confirmed.
How the Proficiency Testing Process Works
1. Select and order your program
Purchase the appropriate program through the Auto Technology online store or contact us to order, discuss an international shipment, or request a time-sensitive historical comparison.
2. Receive and inspect the test package
Auto Technology ships the required test coupons, reporting form, and program instructions. Inspect the package when it arrives and contact us promptly if coupons appear damaged or anything is missing.
3. Follow the program instructions and applicable test method
Participants must have a valid copy of the applicable ASTM, SAE, or GMW test method. Review that standard and the supplied program instructions before preparing, positioning, exposing, cleaning, or measuring the coupons. The program instructions supplement but do not replace the complete test standard.
4. Record and submit the required results
Complete the supplied reporting form and return the requested results by the stated deadline. The form may also request chamber identification, calibration status, conditions, materials, coupon handling methods, measurement methods, and deviations. That supporting information is not separately scored, but it documents how the test was performed and may help explain an unusual mass-loss result.
Confidential Results and Statistical Evaluation
Formal reports identify each participant with a unique confidential code and compare the laboratory's mass-loss results with the group. Depending on the program, the report may include assigned or consensus values, robust averages, robust standard deviations, standard uncertainty, percentage differences, comparison charts, and Z-scores.
What a Z-Score Shows
A Z-score shows how far a laboratory's result is from the assigned value in relation to the program's standard deviation. Auto Technology's reports use statistical methods and interpretation principles described in ISO 13528.
Warning and Action Signals
Under the ISO 13528 guidance referenced in Auto Technology reports, a score greater than ±2 but less than ±3 is identified as a warning signal. A score beyond ±3 is identified as an action signal.
The result does not identify the specific cause.
A warning or action signal indicates that further review may be appropriate. It does not independently determine
whether the difference was caused by the chamber, technician, operating conditions, coupon handling, cleaning,
weighing, calculations, or another part of the testing process.
Results well outside historical normal ranges may be excluded from calculation of the mean and standard deviation while remaining visible in the comparison report.
Why Choose Auto Technology?
Auto Technology does more than administer a statistical comparison. We manufacture corrosion test chambers, operate an accredited corrosion laboratory, provide accredited calibration and chamber service, and participate directly in the standards community behind widely used corrosion test methods.
Accredited and Properly Equipped
ISO/IEC 17043 accreditation: Auto Technology is accredited by A2LA for the corrosion proficiency testing programs identified on its current proficiency testing scope.
Calibrated measurements: When Auto Technology performs coupon mass measurements, calibrated equipment is used for the applicable pre- and post-exposure measurements.
Confidential reporting: Formal comparison reports use confidential participant codes and established statistical methods.
Experienced Corrosion Personnel
Experienced program management: Auto Technology's program manager has run the proficiency testing program for more than 10 years. The program is also supported by personnel with practical experience in corrosion testing, chamber operation, calibration, service, and laboratory quality systems.
Standards involvement: Auto Technology personnel have held leadership and participating roles involving ASTM B117 and the SAE Automotive Corrosion and Prevention committee associated with SAE J2334.
Equipment knowledge: Our experience spans both the test method and the equipment used to create and monitor the corrosion exposure.
Independent Proficiency Testing References
- A2LA public accreditation requirements, including proficiency testing requirements and guidance for ISO/IEC 17025 laboratories.
- ILAC policy documents, including ILAC P9 on proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparisons in accreditation.
- ISO/IEC 17043, the international standard covering competence and impartiality of proficiency testing providers.
- Eurachem proficiency testing guidance on selecting programs, interpreting results, and monitoring laboratory performance.
Accreditation is scope-specific.
Accreditation applies only to the proficiency testing schemes identified on Auto Technology's current A2LA scope.
Review the linked listing or contact Auto Technology when a specific accreditation claim is required.
Corrosion Proficiency Testing FAQ
What does Auto Technology directly evaluate?
Auto Technology directly evaluates the mass-loss results submitted by the participant and the participant's ability to complete the program and submit the required results. The program does not separately certify the chamber, technician, conditions, coupon handling, cleaning, or measurement process.
Is proficiency testing required for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation?
Participation may be required when suitable proficiency testing is available and applicable to the laboratory's accredited activities and proficiency testing plan. Requirements depend on the laboratory's scope and accrediting body, so laboratories should confirm their specific obligations with their accreditation body.
When are formal proficiency testing reports issued?
Auto Technology publishes formal group reports twice each year. Program instructions identify the submission deadline for each reporting round. Results received after a deadline are normally included in the next round.
Can we receive a report before the next formal round?
Yes. Auto Technology can issue an individual report comparing submitted mass-loss results with applicable historical proficiency testing data. This is useful for time-sensitive evaluations of a technician, chamber, transferred test, or unexpected result.
What is the difference between ASTM B117 programs 550100 and 550800?
In program 550100, the participating laboratory performs the required coupon cleaning and mass measurements. Program 550800 is for laboratories that cannot perform or prefer not to perform those measurements themselves; Auto Technology performs the pre- and post-exposure coupon cleaning and mass measurements using calibrated equipment. Program 550800 is currently available only within the United States.
Does Auto Technology provide the complete test standard?
No. Participants must have a valid copy of the applicable ASTM, SAE, or GMW test method. The supplied program instructions identify proficiency-testing requirements but do not replace the complete test standard.
How are participant identities protected?
Formal reports identify participating laboratories by unique confidential codes. Each laboratory can locate its own results and compare them with the group without publicly identifying the other participants.
How do we order a proficiency testing program?
Purchase through the Auto Technology online store or contact us to order, request a historical comparison, discuss international shipping, or purchase through a company purchase order.
Order a Corrosion Proficiency Testing Program
Select an ASTM B117, ASTM B368, GMW14872, or SAE J2334 program to obtain an objective comparison of your laboratory's mass-loss results. Purchase online or contact Auto Technology for help selecting a program or arranging a time-sensitive historical comparison.