CORROSION CHAMBER CALIBRATION, SERVICE & PROFIECIENCY TESTING
Auto Technology provides expert corrosion chamber calibration, comprehensive salt spray chamber repair and preventive maintenance contracts, and A2LA-accredited laboratory proficiency testing programs.
Corrosion Chamber Service & Maintenance
Auto Technology field service technicians can travel directly to your facility to diagnose and repair your salt spray chamber, cyclic corrosion chamber, or test booth.
We also provide scheduled preventive maintenance service contracts to keep your corrosion testing equipment operating reliably and meeting required testing standards.
Chamber Repair
An Auto Technology service technician can travel to your facility to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair any corrosion chamber or salt fog cabinet.
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance provides scheduled service contracts and repairs to help keep your corrosion testing equipment operating continuously.
Corrosion Chamber Calibration
Calibration compares the environmental conditions produced by a corrosion chamber with the parameters required by the applicable test standard such as ASTM B117, ISO 9227, GMW 14872, and SAE J2334.
Technicians use certified reference instruments to compare the chamber’s internal sensors and displayed readings with independently measured values.
Calibration reference instruments must be traceable to the International System of Units through accredited laboratories to meet ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
Measurements Verified During Calibration
- Cabinet temperature
- Bubble tower temperature
- Bubble tower air pressure
- Relative humidity for cyclic corrosion chambers
- Controller timing for cyclic corrosion chambers
The technician records the chamber’s initial measurements as the As Found data and compares them with the applicable upper and lower tolerance limits.
When an adjustment is required, the technician adjusts the applicable chamber offset, repeats the measurement, and records the final result as the As Left data.
What Is Checked During Standard Salt Spray Chamber Calibration?
A standard salt spray chamber, salt spray cabinet, or salt fog testing equipment provides a continuous, static testing environment. Because it does not transition through multiple environmental phases, calibration focuses on temperature and air pressure.
Temperature Validation
Calibrated temperature probes are used to compare chamber temperatures with certified reference measurements.
The cabinet is typically checked at ambient and operating temperatures, such as 20.0°C and 35.0°C.
The bubble tower may be checked at multiple setpoints, such as 20.5°C and 48.0°C.
Pressure Verification
Atomization of the salt solution relies on controlled air pressure.
A digital pressure module is connected to the bubble tower to compare the chamber’s indicated pressure with a certified reference.
Pressure is typically checked at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 PSI.
What Is Checked During Cyclic Corrosion Chamber Calibration?
Cyclic corrosion chambers transition through multiple environments, such as salt fog, dry-off, dwell, and high humidity.
Their calibration includes the measurements performed on a standard salt spray chamber, plus relative humidity and controller timing.
Temperature & Pressure
Cabinet temperature, bubble tower temperature, and bubble tower air pressure are compared with certified reference measurements.
Because cyclic chambers may include freezing or high-temperature capabilities, cabinet temperature may be checked across a wider range, such as -20.0°C to 70.0°C.
Relative Humidity
Temperature and humidity indicator probes are used to compare the chamber’s indicated relative humidity with certified reference measurements.
Typical verification points may include 30.0%, 70.0%, and 95.0% RH.
Time & Controller Logic
The chamber’s controller logic must be validated because each cyclic test phase must run for the required interval.
A certified waterproof stopwatch is used to compare the controller’s internal clock with actual elapsed time, typically at 60-second and 300-second intervals.
What Do “As Found” and “As Left” Mean?
As Found
As Found data records how the chamber is performing before any adjustments are made. These readings are compared with the applicable upper and lower tolerance limits.
As Left
If an As Found reading is outside tolerance, the technician adjusts the applicable chamber offset and repeats the measurement. The final reading is recorded as the As Left data.
Measurement Uncertainty
The calibration certificate includes an estimated measurement uncertainty calculation that provides a 95% confidence level in the reported measurements.
Corrosion Test Lab Proficiency Testing Programs
Proficiency testing compares your corrosion test lab results with results submitted by other participating laboratories performing the same test program.
Each participating laboratory receives a confidential report comparing its results with the results submitted by other participants.
Available Programs
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| 550100 | PT program for ASTM B117 – Salt Spray |
| 550800 | PT program for ASTM B117 – including pre- and post-mass cleaning and measurements |
| 550200 | PT program for ASTM B368 – CASS Test |
| 550400 | PT program for GMW14872 – Cyclic Corrosion |
| 550500 | PT program for SAE J2334 – Cyclic Corrosion |
International orders: Program 550600 covers international shipping and handling.
1. Registration
Select the tests in which your laboratory wishes to participate.
Register by sending the form by mail or email, or purchase the program directly through the Auto Technology online store.
2. Sample Distribution
Test packages are shipped after payment is received.
Each package includes the samples and instructions.
Contact Auto Technology immediately if a package arrives damaged or contains questionable samples.
3. Submission of Results
Submit results by email, fax, or mail by the due date listed on the provided form.
4. Final Report
Auto Technology sends a confidential summary report comparing your laboratory’s results with the results submitted by other participating laboratories.
Reporting Schedule
- Reports are published twice per year, in June and December.
- Data received at least six weeks before the reporting date will appear in that reporting cycle.
- Later submissions will be included in the next reporting cycle.
- Prices include all required samples.
Outlier Data
Data outside historical ranges will appear in the comparison report but will not be used to calculate the standard deviation or mean.
Contact Auto Technology
Contact us about salt spray chamber repair, preventive maintenance, calibration, or proficiency testing programs.
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