Corrosion and Fungus Tests

Corrosion

NATC, in recognition of the significant effect of corrosion on the overall life cycle cost and useful life of a vehicle, has developed a state-of-the-art corrosion chamber to provide optimum solutions both for commercial and military vehicles. Simulators for severe high-humidity, high-corrosion environments such as China, Vietnam, Central America and Southwest Asia have been preprogrammed into the chamber to allow automatic, repeatable and representative test conditions. The chamber is configured to allow integration of corrosion tests with vehicle durability as part of an overall accelerated (corrosion durability) life cycle test.

A corrosion test methodology integrated into NATC’s accelerated life test program based on the North American Duty cycle has been developed for both heavy and light trucks. There is sufficient flexibility in this methodology, test chamber configuration, test course and other corrosion event (e.g. grit or salt spray application) to accommodate customer specified corrosion test procedures, such as those used internally by major vehicle manufacturers.

NATC is a member of a team developing corrosion control, monitoring and prevention technologies for USMC vehicle procurement and maintenance programs which will result in longer and more cost-effective performance life for transportation systems. A Corrosion/Durability Road Test is part of this effort to develop a repeatable test procedure that will address corrosion effects due to stress and corrosive elements in the use environment.

Chamber ambient temperature is measured at multiple locations throughout the structure, and separately controlled fans ensure uniform heat and humidity conditions. Chamber relative humidity is monitored and controlled from sensors located in the return air plenum. Computer controlled nozzles automatically inject moisture in the chamber plenum to maintain proper uniform humidity levels. Salt fog nozzles are similarly computer controlled and are positioned throughout the chamber to ensure uniform concentration delivery to all test components and reference coupons.

Over-the-road type corrosion elements, grit trough, drive through spray booth, salt water fording up to 60 inches depth and stress inducing test courses matching the duty cycle of a specific test vehicle are part of the accelerated corrosion/durability tests conducted at NATC.

NATC’s Dedicated Corrosion Chamber

16 (H) x 17 (W) x 40 (L) feet Custom designed testing Component and full vehicle testing State-of-the-art dehumidification system Controlled storage (ambient) conditions for consistent, repeatable storage cycles and controlled ramp times from high to low RH conditions Integrated refrigeration system with controlled storage conditions Automated salt fog system Coupon Racks Temperature up to 160°F; Temperature control (±2°F) Humidity range 5% to 95%; Humidity control (±3%)   NATC conducts corrosion testing to the following standards: GM MIL-STD-810E/F ASTM B117 SAE EEC/ECE IEC

Fungus Chamber

NATC has devoted one environmental chamber to use in studying the effects of fungus on components and full vehicles in either storage or operational scenarios. This unit is 7 feet 11 inches wide, 6 feet 7 inches high and 18 feet 6 inches long, accommodating most full-size, light-duty vehicles. Conditions within the chamber can be maintained at temperatures ranging from ambient to 160°F and humidity from ambient to 98 percent. Typical fungus spores can be maintained at 75 to 88°F and humidity between 90 and 100 percent.