Cyclic Corrosion Testing
Prior to cyclic corrosion testing, conventional salt spray (a continuous salt spray at 35˚C), was the standard way to simulate corrosion in a lab.   Because conventional salt spray methods failed to mimic the natural wet/dry cycles of the outdoors, test results frequently provided poor correlation to outdoors. 

In a Q-FOG cyclic corrosion tester, specimens are exposed to a series of different environments in a repetitive cycle that mimics the outdoors.  Simple cycles, such as Prohesion, may consist of cycling between salt fog and dry conditions.  More sophisticated automotive methods may call for multi-step cycles that incorporate humidity or condensation, along with salt spray and dry-off.  

Within one Q-FOG chamber, it is possible to cycle through a series of the most significant corrosion environments.  Even extremely complex test cycles can easily be programmed with the Q-FOG controller. See LF-8110 - Q-FOG Specifications or visit our standards page for a detailed list of test methods met by the Q-FOG chamber. 

Models

Q-FOG corrosion test chambers are available in two types. Model SSP performs traditional salt spray and Prohesion tests. Model CCT performs salt spray, Prohesion, and 100% humidity for most cyclic automotive tests.

• Q-FOG SSP-600: conventional salt spray and Prohesion tests, 640 liter chamber volume
• Q-FOG SSP-1100: conventional salt spray and Prohesion tests, 1103 liter chamber volume
• Q-FOG CCT-600:  conventional salt spray, Prohesion, and 100% humidity, 640 liter chamber volume
• Q-FOG CCT-1100: conventional salt spray, Prohesion, and 100% humidity, 1103 liter chamber volume

See LF-8110 - Q-FOG Specifications for comparative information, or see the Features Tab.

Model SSP for Prohesion or Conventional Salt Spray Tests
The Q-FOG SSP corrosion tester can perform numerous accelerated corrosion tests, including continuous salt spray (ASTM B117 and ISO 9227) and Prohesion (ASTM G85 Annex 5).  Visit our standards page or see LF-8131 - Partial List of Standards Met by Q-FOG for more information.

The Prohesion test uses fast cycling, rapid temperature changes, a low humidity dry-off cycle and a different corrosive solution to provide a more realistic test.  Many researchers have found this test useful for industrial maintenance coatings.

Continuous salt spray exposures are widely specified for testing components and coatings for corrosion resistance.  Applications include plated and painted finishes, aerospace and military components, and electrical/electronic systems.

Most of these tests are performed to particular specifications such as ASTM B117 (Salt Spray), and BS 3900 F4. These tests are widely used for relative corrosion testing.  They are typically run at an elevated temperature and do not incorporate a dry-off cycle.  They require heated, humidified air for the spray.

Model CCT for Corrosion Research and Cyclic Automotive Tests
The Q-FOG model CCT has all the advantages of the model SSP, but adds the flexibility of including 100% humidity.

Automotive corrosion test methods typically call for exposing specimens to a repetitive cycle of salt spray, high humidity, low humidity dry-off, and ambient conditions. These test methods were originally developed as labor intensive manual procedures.  The multi-functional Q-FOG CCT corrosion tester is designed to perform these cyclic tests automatically in a single chamber. Additionally, the CCT model is able to run Copper-Accelerated Acetic-Acid Salt Spray (CASS) tests such as ASTM B368 or ISO 9227 CASS.

Q-FOG model CCT advantages include the elimination of:

• manual moving of test specimens from one chamber to another
• laborious spraying of test specimens
• variability in results from excessive specimen handling

Precise Control of Fog Dispersion
The Q-FOG cyclic corrosion chamber has superior fog dispersion compared to conventional systems, which cannot vary volume and distance independently.  A variable speed peristaltic pump controls the amount of corrosive solution delivered to the spray atomizer, while the air pressure regulator controls the distance of the “throw.”  Note that purified water is required for proper operation of Q-FOG corrosion testers. 

Solution Reservoir
Space utilization is maximized and maintenance is minimized with the Q-FOG tester's internal solution reservoir. The 120 liter reservoir has enough capacity for running most tests for 7 days or more. The reservoir has an integral salt filter and a built-in alarm to alert the operator when the solution is low. The integrated reservoir can optionally be connected to an external tank.

Fast Cycling
Q-FOG testers can change temperatures exceptionally fast because of their unique internal chamber heater and their high volume cooling/dry-off blower. An additional air heater allows very low humidity dry-off exposures. Conventional chambers with water jackets cannot cycle rapidly because of the thermal mass of the water, nor can they produce low humidity.

Easy Programming and Specimen Mounting
The Q-FOG test chamber is designed to cycle between four conditions: Fog, Dry-Off, 100% Humidity (Model CCT only), and Dwell.  Test conditions, time, and temperature are controlled by a built-in microprocessor.  A remarkably simple user interface featuring dual, full-color touch-screens allows for easy user programming and operation in 17 languages.  The operator can quickly create new cycles, or run any of the pre-programmed cycles.  The Q-FOG controller includes complete self-diagnostics, including warning messages, routine service reminders and safety shut down.

Q-FOG CRH units come equipped with a viewing window in the side of the lid and an internal light to allow easy monitoring of the test conditions.

Q-FOG testers have a low belt line and an easy-opening lid for easy sample mounting. The SSP-600 and CCT-600 models have a capacity of up to 160 test panels of 75 mm × 15 mm in size.  The SSP-1100 and CCT-1100 models have a capacity of up to 240 test panels.

Affordable
Q-FOG cyclic corrosion testers offer state of the art corrosion testing technology, reliability, ease of operation and easy maintenance – all at a remarkably affordable price.

Specimen Holders
Optional test panel holders are available which allow the user to mount specimens at a 15 degree angle, holding panels up to 102 mm × 304 mm on 38 mm centers.

Odd shaped parts (e.g. large three-dimensional specimens), can be mounted on special 20 mm hanging rods.  See our specimen mounting page, LF-8151 - Q-FOG Specimen Mounting, or inquire about the following common part numbers:

• F-9008-K    Q-FOG SSP-600 or CCT-600 Test Panel Holder Kit, set of 8
• F-9011-K    Q-FOG SSP-1100 or CCT-1100 Test Panel Holder Kit, set of 10
• F-9014-K    Q-FOG SSP-600 or CCT-600 20 mm (3/4”) Hanging Rod Kit, set of 6
• F-9017-K    Q-FOG SSP-1100 or CCT-1100 20 mm (3/4”) Hanging Rod Kit, set of 8

Other Accessories
Q-Lab offers a fog collection kit for the Q-FOG tester, which consists of a set of six graduated cylinders, o-rings, and collection funnels. Fog collection is required by some tests. Additionally, a kit to perform these collections external to the chamber is available, which avoids having to interrupt testing for fog and shower measurement.

Also available is a one-year maintenance parts kit, which consists of eight pump tubes, one air filter, two solution filters elements, and a handy hex wrench.

A convenient salt kit is available, containing a pre-measured and certified quantity of NaCl (530 g) which allows for compatibility with ASTM B117. Just add the recommended amount of water to obtain a 5% solution.
See our specimen mounting page, LF-8151 - Q-FOG Specimen Mounting, or inquire about the following common part numbers:

• F-9001-K    Fog Collection Kit, Contains 6 graduated cylinders and collection funnels
• F-9155-K    Start-Up Salt Kit; Contains pre-measured, certified NaCl