About Ascott

STANDARD

Standard models are designed for continuous salt spray tests, conducted at a single user-adjustable temperature, such as ASTM B117, ISO 9227, JIS Z 2371 etc. They may be used with pH neutral salt solutions (NSS) or test solutions acidified by the addition of Acetic Acid (ASS) or Cupric Acid (CASS).

PREMIUM

Premium models can perform the same basic salt spray tests as Standard models, but in addition are equipped with extra features which enable them to undertake ‘modified’ tests such as ASTM G85.

Here conventional salt spray is usually combined with one other climate, in a two-part cycle. For example: salt spray and condensation humidity (SWAAT) or salt spray and drying (PROHESION).

PERFORMANCE

• Temperature range*
  Adjustable from ambient to +50°C/+122°F.
• Salt spray fall-out rates
  Adjustable from 0.5 to 2.5 ml per 80 cm2 per hour.
• Wetting mode (Premium chambers only)
  Adjustable from ambient to +50°C/+122°F.
• Drying mode (Premium chambers only)
  Adjustable from ambient to +50°C/+122°F.

*Option ACC03 increases temperature range up to 60°C/140°F

FEATURES - Standard Models

• ‘Easy Open’ pneumatically operated canopy.
• Touch-screen monochrome operator control interface.
• Dry seal gasket prevents wetting operator’s clothes.
• Low loading threshold for loading and unloading.
• Canopy colour choice.
• Interior viewing window.
• Purge of the cabinet interior with compressed air after testing and before the chamber is opened.
• Large capacity separate salt solution reservoir mounted on wheels for mobility.
• Set of sample racks.

FEATURES - Premium Models

Premium models have the same features as Standard models plus:

• Touch-screen, full color user control interface, using intuitive icons for ease of programming and use.
• RJ45 communications port for connection to a local area network (LAN) for logging and remote programming via a computer running optional Ascott software (ACC120).
• A real-time, user configurable ‘clock’ to enable different test samples to have their exposure time monitored separately, with alarms to warn when preset test times have been completed.
• Immersion heater housed in the base of chamber enables high humidity condensation conditions to be created, if required.

PERFORMANCE

• Wetting Mode
  Temperature range - Adjustable from ambient to +60°C/+140°F.
  Humidity range - Fixed at 95% - 100% RH.
• Salt Spray Mode
  Temperature range - Adjustable from ambient to +50°C/+122°F.
  Salt spray fall-out rates - Adjustable from 0.5 to 2.5 ml per 80 cm2 per hour.*
• Drying Mode
  Temperature range - Adjustable from ambient to +70°C/+158°F.
• Controlled Humidity Mode
  Temperature/humidity range - See graph below.

Graph showing standard range of temperature/humidity control for a CCT chamber and how this may be extended by the addition of optional accessories.

Ascott chambers require ambient conditions of 18°C to 23°C to perform in line with standards requirements.

* Option ACC01 increases fallout rate up to 5.5 ml per 80 cm2 per hour.

FEATURES

• ‘Easy Open’ pneumatically operated canopy.
• Dry seal gasket prevents wetting operator’s clothes, etc.
• Low loading threshold for loading and unloading.
• Canopy colour choice.
• Interior viewing window (unless refrigeration option is supplied).
• Purge of the cabinet interior with fresh air after testing and before the chamber is opened.
• Set of sample racks
• Large capacity separate salt solution reservoir mounted on wheels for mobility.
• Touch-screen, full color user control interface, using intuitive icons for ease of programming and use.
• RJ45 communications port for connection to a local area network (LAN) for logging and remote programming via a computer running optional Ascott software (ACC120).
• A real-time, user configurable ‘clock’ to enable different test samples to have their exposure time monitored separately, with alarms to warn when preset test times have been completed.
• A large capacity memory for complex multi-step test programmes to be programmed and stored, so that a wide range of different test profiles can be undertaken.

These tests are cyclic in nature and comprise of exposure under controlled and varying conditions of temperature and humidity, with intermittent spraying of a salt solution directly on to the samples under test, from a high level swaying spray bar.

Fully automatic laboratory-accelerated atmospheric corrosion testing to;

All Ascott Atmosfär Corrosion Test chambers feature:

• Patented oscillating spray bar with magnetically coupled drive system, for compliance with the most demanding automotive test standards.
• Integrated air conditioning unit, to achieve demanding temperature and humidity combinations.
• Psychrometric humidity control module, for more exacting control of humidity, especially at levels around 95% RH.

Two model sizes:

• 1300 Ltr (45.9 cu ft)
• 2600 Ltr (91.8 cu ft)

Extensive optional testing facilities:

Extensive range optional testing facilities, such as SO2 gas dosing and liquid immersion.

PERFORMANCE

• Wetting Mode
  Temperature range - Adjustable from ambient to +60°C/+158°F.
  Humidity range - Fixed at 95% - 100% RH.
• Oscillating Salt Spray Mode
  Temperature range - Adjustable from ambient to +60°C/+140°F.
  Salt spray fall-out rates - Adjustable from 5 to 10 Ltrs/m2 per hour.*
• Conventional Salt Spray Mode
  Temperature range - Adjustable from ambient to +60°C/+140°F.
  Salt spray fall-out rates - Adjustable from 0.5 to 2.5 ml per 80 cm2 per hour.*
• Drying Mode
  Temperature range - Adjustable from ambient to +70°C/+158°F.
• Climatic Mode
  Temperature/humidity range - See graph below.

Ascott chambers require ambient conditions of 18°C to 23°C to perform in line with standards requirements.

* Option ACC01 increases fallout rate up to 5.5 ml per 80 cm2 per hour.

FEATURES

• Ergonomic design low loading threshold for easy loading and unloading.
• ‘Easy Open’ pneumatically operated canopy.
• Dry seal gasket prevents wetting operator’s clothes.
• Large capacity separate salt solution reservoir mounted on wheels for mobility.
• Calibration certificate.
• Canopy colour choice.
• Set of sample racks.
• Interior viewing window.
• Consumables spares kit.
• Easily accessible salt spray atomizer(s) in transparent hard-wearing acrylic.
• Purge of the cabinet interior with compressed air after testing and before the chamber is opened.
• Touch-screen, full color user control interface, employing the latest version of our highly intuitive operating software, for ease of programming and use.
• The operating software has a very large capacity for the creation of complex multi-step test programmes, so that the widest possible range of test profiles can be accommodated.
• The icon based control interface offers a variety of languages built-in for ease of understanding and use.
• RJ45 communications port for connection to a local area network (LAN) for logging and remote programming via a computer running optional Ascott software (ACC120).
• A real-time, user configurable ‘clock’ to enable different test samples to be batched and have their exposure time monitored separately, with alarms to warn when a pre-set test period has been completed.

Corrosalt

Salt for salt spray testing

• Highest purity salt for fully compliant testing
• For all salt spray testing including the stringent ASTM B117
• Available in 25Kg (55lb) drums or bags
• Drums are with a scoop to maintain purity when handling

Despite the fact that salt is a commonly occurring compound, pure sodium chloride (NaCl) is much more difficult to come by. Because of its hygroscopic nature, which tends to make salt coagulate and solidify, most granulated salt has anti-caking agents added. However, the addition of these agents is prohibited by most salt spray test standards.

For example, the world’s most popular salt spray test standard; ASTM B117, prohibits the addition of anticaking agents, and also limits other impurities, as follows: total impurities < 0.3%, halides excluding chloride < 0.1%, copper < 0.3ppm – so the salt must be very pure indeed, with the limit for copper in particular set at an extremely low level. Other national and international test standards for corrosion testing are similarly demanding in their specifications. To ensure compliance with the highest standards, Ascott has had Corro-Salt independently analysed by an UKAS* accredited laboratory.

*UKAS = United Kingdom Accreditation Service.

Specification - Typical analysis

(Bulk quantities available upon request.)