ConstaMatic® SC- Cabinet Type Cyclic Corrosion Test Chamber

Liebisch ConstaMatic® SC is a front-loading, cabinet-type cyclic corrosion test chamber capable of applying different climatic conditions sequentially according to a defined programme.

Depending on the selected configuration, the chamber can combine salt spray, condensation humidity, ventilation, hot-air drying, controlled relative humidity, rain spray, and cooling stages within a single test programme. This enables not only continuous salt spray or condensation humidity testing, but also multi-stage cyclic corrosion tests used in the automotive and coatings industries.

ConstaMatic® A-SC is available with test chamber volumes of 400, 1000, 2000, and 3000 litres, allowing a suitable model to be selected for samples ranging from small coated panels to large automotive parts and assembled components.

ConstaMatic A-SC can be used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the following products and materials:

• Painted and coated metal surfaces
• Automotive parts and assembled components
• Galvanised or electroplated products
• Fasteners and metal accessories
• Aluminium and other non-ferrous metal components
• Powder coating, liquid paint, and protective coating systems
• Components for the defence, aerospace, and transport industries
• Large or irregularly shaped test samples

The front-loading chamber design facilitates the placement of heavy or large samples inside the test chamber. Samples can be observed through the front door during testing. Test chamber lighting can also be added where required.

In continuous salt spray tests, samples are exposed to similar atmospheric conditions throughout the test. In cyclic corrosion tests, different conditions—such as salt fog, condensation, controlled humidity, drying, ventilation, or cooling—are applied sequentially for specified periods.

This approach can provide a more comprehensive representation of the wetting, drying, temperature, and humidity changes that materials encounter under real service conditions. The stages included in the test and the duration of each stage are determined by the applicable standard.

The tests that ConstaMatic A-SC can perform depend on the Liebisch process systems installed in the chamber. Therefore, not every ConstaMatic model automatically supports every standard. The chamber configuration should be selected according to the test methods to be performed.

Important note: The -C suffix in the model name does not mean that the CorroCool cooling unit is supplied with the chamber. It indicates that the chamber has been prepared with the required connections for CorroCool. The cooling unit must be selected separately and confirmed as part of the order.

For detailed information about Liebisch system codes and other process combinations, please visit the Liebisch Process Systems page.

Some tests may require additional equipment, a dedicated software programme, or specific laboratory conditions. Chamber suitability should therefore be determined by evaluating the current revision of the standard, the test cycle, and the required options together, rather than relying solely on the standard designation.

For detailed information about Liebisch test standards, please visit the Liebisch Corrosion Test Standards page.

The S configuration is used for tests requiring only the salt spray process. Test methods such as neutral salt spray, acetic acid salt spray, and CASS can be performed with the required chamber equipment and appropriate test solution.

Main relevant standards:

• ASTM B117 – Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• ASTM B368 – Standard Test Method for Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing
• TS EN ISO 9227 – Corrosion Tests in Artificial Atmospheres — Salt Spray Tests
• TS EN 13523-8 – Coil Coated Metals — Resistance to Salt Spray
• TS EN 60068-2-11 – Environmental Testing — Salt Mist
• TS ISO 9022-4 – Optics and Photonics — Salt Atmosphere Tests
• JIS Z 2371 – Methods of Salt Spray Testing
• MIL-STD-202 Method 101
• MIL-STD-810 Method 509

The K system uses a heated water reservoir to create high humidity inside the test chamber and condensation on the sample surfaces. It is used to evaluate the resistance of paints, coatings, and metal surfaces to condensation humidity.

Main relevant standards:

• TS EN ISO 6270-1 – Single-Sided Condensation
• TS EN ISO 6270-2 – Methods for Exposure to Condensation Humidity Atmospheres
• DIN 50958 – Corrosion Testing in a Condensation Water Atmosphere

SK models are designed for laboratories that need to perform salt spray and condensation humidity tests in the same chamber. The two processes can be applied sequentially within a programme; however, standards requiring ventilation or controlled drying require additional systems.

The SKB system adds automatic ventilation to the salt spray and condensation stages. This allows the chamber atmosphere to be changed under controlled conditions between cycle stages.

This configuration can be used for certain automotive cycles and specific tests covered by ASTM G85, provided that the relevant standard does not require hot air, controlled relative humidity, or cooling.

SKBW models can incorporate a hot-air or drying stage into the test cycle. The sequential application of salt spray, condensation, ventilation, and hot-air processes enables more advanced test programmes comprising wet and dry cycles.

This system can be considered for specific applications within the following test families:

• ASTM G85 Annex A5 – Prohesion
• Cycles under TS EN ISO 11997-1 involving wet, salt fog, dry, and humid stages
• SAE J2334 – Laboratory Cyclic Corrosion Test
• ISO 14993
• Certain Mazda and Nissan cyclic corrosion methods

The SKBWF configuration adds controlled relative humidity to the salt spray, condensation humidity, ventilation, and hot-air systems.

This configuration can be selected for advanced automotive tests requiring controlled humidity levels or humidity ramps. Depending on the application, the following standards and manufacturer methods may be considered:

• TS EN ISO 16701
• GMW 14872
• VDA 233-102
• Renault D17 2028
• Relevant Volvo cyclic corrosion methods
• Manufacturer specifications incorporating controlled temperature and humidity stages

The SKBWFR configuration adds a removable rain spray system to the salt spray, condensation, ventilation, hot-air, and controlled humidity processes.

The SKBWFR-C model includes the connections required for operation with an external CorroCool cooling system. This configuration can be used for specific automotive or customer-defined tests requiring water spraying, controlled humidity, drying, and low-temperature stages within the same programme.

The temperature, humidity, rain spray flow rate, and transition times required by the applicable test method should be verified separately at the quotation stage.

With a suitable system configuration and the required options, the ConstaMatic A-SC product family can be configured for the following standards and manufacturer test methods:

Depending on the application, ConstaMatic A-SC can be configured with the following options:

The availability of each option should be confirmed according to the selected chamber volume, system combination, and applicable standard.