ASTM_B_368_-_09_2014.pdf

Designation:B36809(Reapproved 2014)Standard Test Method forCopper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray(Fog)Testing(CASS Test)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation B368;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope1.1 This test method prescribes the conditions required incopper-accelerated acetic acid-salt spray(CASS)testing forspecification purposes.The standard does not specify the typeof test specimen or exposure periods to be used for a specificproduct,nor the interpretation to be given to the results.1.2 This test method is applicable to evaluating the corro-sive performance of decorative copper/nickel/chromium ornickel/chromium coatings on steel,zinc alloys,aluminumalloys,and plastics designed for severe service.It is alsoapplicable to the testing of anodized aluminum.The suitabilityof this test and correlation of results with service experienceshould be determined before it is specified for coating systemsor materials other than those mentioned in this paragraph.NOTE1The following standards are not requirements.They arereferenced for information only:Practices B537 and E50,SpecificationsB456 and B604,and Test Method B602.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For more specificsafety precautionary information see 8.1.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray(Fog)ApparatusB162 Specification for Nickel Plate,Sheet,and StripB456 Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of CopperPlus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus ChromiumB537 Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjectedto Atmospheric ExposureB602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic andInorganic CoatingsB604 Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings ofCopper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on PlasticsD1193 Specification for Reagent WaterE50 Practices for Apparatus,Reagents,and Safety Consid-erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals,Ores,andRelated MaterialsE70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With theGlass Electrode3.Significance and Use3.1 The CASS test is widely employed and is useful forspecification acceptance,simulated service evaluation,manu-facturing control,and research and development.It was devel-oped specifically for use with decorative,electrodepositednickel/chromium and copper/nickel/chromium coatings.Use ofthe test has improved the quality of electroplated parts and ledto the development of new and superior electroplating pro-cesses.4.Apparatus4.1 The apparatus required for the CASS test consists of afog chamber,a salt-solution reservoir,a supply of compressedair,one or more atomizing nozzles,specimen supports,provi-sion for heating the chamber,and necessary means of control.4.2 The size and detailed construction of the apparatus areoptional,provided the conditions meet the requirements of thistest method.The construction of the apparatus is described inthe appendix of Test Method B117.For the CASS test,however,the requirements for air pressure and temperature aretypically 0.08 to 0.12 MPa and 60 to 65C,respectively.Theactual air pressure will be that required to produce the propercollection rate(see 8.3.1).4.3 The apparatus shall be constructed so that drops ofsolution that accumulate on the ceiling or cover of the chamber1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee B08 on Metallicand Inorganic Coatingsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 onTest Methods.Current edition approved May 1,2014.Published May 2014.Originallyapproved in 1961.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as B368 09.DOI:10.1520/B0368-09R14.The CASS test was developed by the initiative of the Research Board of theAmerican Electroplaters Society under AES Project 15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 do not fall on the specimens being tested.Drops of solutionthat fall from the specimens shall not be returned to thesolution reservoir for respraying.4.4 Materials of construction shall not affect the corrosive-ness of the fog,nor be themselves corroded by the f