ConstaSal® SC – ISO 9227 Salt Test Chamber
400, 1000, and 2000-litre test volumes • S salt spray system • Manual M-SC control
ConstaSal® SC is a cabinet-type salt spray test chamber developed to evaluate the corrosion resistance of metals and coated surfaces under saline conditions using standardised test methods.
Part of the Liebisch M-SC chamber family, the system enables continuous spray tests such as neutral salt spray (NSS), acetic acid salt spray (AASS), and copper-accelerated acetic acid salt spray (CASS) to be performed under controlled and repeatable conditions.
Its front-loading chamber design and test volumes of 400, 1000, or 2000 litres accommodate various types of samples, ranging from small test panels to large and heavy industrial components.
What Is ConstaSal SC Used For?
Salt spray tests are used to examine the behaviour of metal surfaces, coatings, and corrosion protection systems in a specified test atmosphere.
These tests can be used particularly to evaluate the following under controlled conditions:
- Pores, scratches, and discontinuities in paint and organic coatings,
- The protective performance of metallic coatings,
- The resistance of anodic oxide and conversion coatings,
- The progression of underfilm corrosion,
- Rust formation, blistering, and coating delamination,
- Quality differences between production batches.
Salt spray testing does not reproduce real outdoor conditions exactly or directly predict a product’s service life. Its primary purpose is to evaluate products, coatings, or production batches under the common test conditions specified by the relevant standard.
Salt Spray Tests That Can Be Performed
Neutral Salt Spray Test – NSS
NSS is the most widely used continuous salt spray test method. A sodium chloride solution prepared within a neutral pH range is atomised using compressed air to create a uniform salt fog inside the chamber.
The method is particularly used for:
- Metals and metal alloys,
- Painted metal surfaces,
- Electroplated and metallic coatings,
- Conversion coatings,
- Anodised surfaces,
- Metal components with organic coatings.
Neutral salt spray testing forms the basis of many applications covered by ASTM B117 and TS EN ISO 9227.
Acetic Acid Salt Spray Test – AASS
In the AASS method, the salt solution is acidified with acetic acid to create a more acidic test environment. It is particularly used to evaluate decorative metallic coatings, anodic coatings on aluminium, and certain organic coating systems.
Before performing an AASS test, the chamber’s required temperature range and material compatibility should be assessed against the current requirements of the applicable standard.
Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid Salt Spray Test – CASS
CASS is a more aggressive salt spray method performed by adding a copper salt to an acidified salt solution. It is particularly used for the quality control of decorative nickel–chromium and copper–nickel–chromium coatings.
As CASS applications may require a higher test temperature, the chamber may need to be configured with the high-temperature option for operation at up to 70 °C. The chamber configuration should be determined at the ordering stage according to the applicable test standard.
ConstaSal SC According to the Liebisch System Code
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| S | Continuous salt spray system |
| M | Manual control |
| SC | Cabinet-type chamber |
| 400/1000/2000 | Test chamber volume in litres |
ConstaSal M-SC operates exclusively with the S salt spray system. If automatic or programmable cycles between salt spray and condensation humidity are required, the ConstaTwin or ConstaMatic chamber families should be considered.
For detailed information about Liebisch system codes and other process combinations, please visit the Liebisch Process Systems page.
Applicable Standards
When provided with the appropriate configuration and required options, ConstaSal® M-SC can be used for the following test methods:
ASTM B117 — Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
Specifies the apparatus, operating conditions, and procedures required to create and maintain a salt spray test environment.
ASTM B368 — Standard Test Method for Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test)
Specifies the operating conditions for copper-accelerated acetic acid salt spray testing.
TS EN ISO 9227 — Corrosion Tests in Artificial Atmospheres — Salt Spray Tests
Covers neutral salt spray (NSS), acetic acid salt spray (AASS), and copper-accelerated acetic acid salt spray (CASS) methods.
TS EN 13523-8 — Coil Coated Metals — Test Methods — Part 8: Resistance to Salt Spray (Fog)
Used to evaluate the resistance of coil-coated metal surfaces to a salt spray environment.
TS EN 60068-2-11 — Environmental Testing — Part 2-11: Tests — Test Ka: Salt Mist
Defines a method for evaluating the resistance of electrical, electronic, and similar products to salt mist.
TS ISO 9022-4 — Optics and Photonics — Environmental Test Methods — Part 4: Salt Mist
Intended to evaluate the resistance of optical instruments and related components under saline atmospheric conditions.
JIS Z 2371 — Methods of Salt Spray Testing
The Japanese Industrial Standard used for conducting salt spray tests.
MIL-STD-202, Method 101 — Salt Atmosphere (Corrosion)
Used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of electronic and electrical components under salt-laden atmospheric conditions.
MIL-STD-810, Method 509 — Salt Fog
A test method for evaluating the resistance of military equipment and materials to the effects of salt fog.
Standards Subject to Configuration Compatibility
The applicability of the following manufacturer and institutional standards should be assessed separately according to the current revision of the relevant standard, required test temperature, solution composition, and chamber options:
- GME 60205
- GMI 60206
- GME 60207
- FIAT 50180 Method A1/A2/A3
Operating Principle
The prepared test solution is transferred to the spray unit by a precision dosing system. Conditioned compressed air and the test solution are atomised into the chamber through a precision twin-fluid nozzle, creating a uniform salt fog.
The operator:
- Sets the test chamber temperature.
- Sets the humidifying tower temperature.
- Adjusts the spray air pressure.
- Adjusts the solution dosing rate to achieve the collection rate specified by the relevant standard.
- Checks the salt fog distribution inside the chamber using collection vessels.
The digital dosing pump helps maintain a stable supply of the solution. Throughout the test, temperature, air pressure, solution level, spray distribution, and the amount of collected condensate should be checked regularly in accordance with the relevant standard.
The ConstaSal SC test chamber is manufactured from corrosion-resistant glass-fibre-reinforced plastic. Minimising the use of corrosion-sensitive metals in the chamber walls and sample support components exposed to the test atmosphere helps extend chamber service life and maintain test reliability.
Heating sections integrated into the side walls and isolated from the test atmosphere provide a balanced temperature distribution throughout the test volume.
The glass door and front-loading design allow the chamber interior to be observed during testing and samples to be positioned easily. This design provides more ergonomic loading, particularly for heavy components, while also facilitating access to different areas of the chamber.
The doors on the 400- and 1000-litre models open sideways. The 2000-litre model features a gas-strut-assisted, upward-opening door that facilitates the loading of large and long samples.
The chamber door should not be opened immediately after testing or sample inspection is complete. The ConstaSal SC air-purge function removes the salt fog from inside the chamber through the exhaust line.
This process helps reduce the release of corrosive fog into the laboratory, the exposure of nearby equipment to salt fog, and the operator’s direct exposure to the concentrated test atmosphere.
Separate lines should be provided for the chamber’s drainage and exhaust connections. The laboratory infrastructure should be prepared in accordance with the manufacturer’s technical requirements before installation.
The test chamber and humidifying tower temperatures are controlled independently. Control parameters defined according to the chamber volume help maintain a stable test temperature.
When the optional timer is used, the chamber can display the total test duration, stop the test when the specified time has elapsed, and make it easier for the operator to monitor long-duration tests.
For applications requiring more comprehensive test records and computer-based monitoring, a data logging system or suitable automatically controlled ConstaMatic models should be considered.
The appropriate chamber volume should not be determined solely by whether the samples physically fit inside. The salt fog must reach all samples uniformly, and solution runoff from one sample must not affect the others.
The following information should be considered when selecting a model:
- Sample width, length, height, and weight,
- Number of samples to be tested simultaneously,
- Positioning angle required by the standard,
- Spacing between samples,
- Sample holders to be used,
- Required test temperature,
- Applicable NSS, AASS, or CASS method,
- Daily or annual testing capacity.
For heavy and bulky samples, a reinforced base structure and mesh support system may be selected.
Optional Accessories and Systems
ConstaSal SC can be configured with the following options according to the application requirements:
The suitability of each option should be assessed together with the chamber volume and the applicable test standard.
Which Chamber Should You Choose?
If you only intend to perform continuous salt spray tests, the manually controlled ConstaSal M-SC may be a suitable solution.
Share your intended test standard, test cycle, sample dimensions, and required capacity with us so we can assess the necessary process systems and a suitable chamber configuration together.
Contact us for assistance with selecting the appropriate Liebisch process system and chamber, and for a technical quotation.
| Product Code | Model | Test Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 2504 5012 | Constasal S 400 M-SC Manually operated cabinet-type salt spray test chamber. | 400 liters |
| 2510 5012 | Constasal S 1000 M-SC Manually operated cabinet-type salt spray test chamber. | 1000 liters |
| 2520 5012 | Constasal S 2000 M-SC Manually operated cabinet-type salt spray test chamber. | 2000 liters |
