The salt spray testing chamber is used in many industries to test the salt spray corrosion resistance of materials and products. However, the occurrence of spray crystallization can interfere with the normal conduct of the test and affect the accuracy of the test results. So, how should one resolve the spray crystallization in the salt spray testing chamber? What are the precautions for using a salt spray testing chamber?
One of the main reasons for spray crystallization is the overly high concentration of the salt solution. If the salt solution is not prepared strictly according to the test requirements, an excessive salt concentration can make the solution more likely to precipitate crystals during the spraying process.
The solution is to accurately prepare the salt solution according to standard requirements, using high-precision measuring tools to measure the salt and water to ensure precise concentration.
Another reason might be unstable air pressure. If the air pressure in the test chamber is insufficient or fluctuates greatly, the salt solution cannot be uniformly atomized and sprayed out, causing some solution to accumulate at the nozzle, where it forms crystals after the water evaporates. Regular checks of the air compressor and pressure regulating devices are needed to ensure stable gas pressure. Additionally, calibrate the air pressure before testing to meet the specified values.
Furthermore, uneven internal temperature of the test chamber can also cause spray crystallization. Excessively high local temperatures can accelerate water evaporation and promote salt crystallization. To resolve this, the temperature control system of the test chamber should be inspected and maintained to ensure the temperature sensors work normally, and the heating and cooling components operate stably to achieve uniform temperature distribution inside the chamber.
Nozzle blockage is one of the direct causes of spray crystallization. After prolonged use, crystallized salt will gradually block the nozzles, affecting the spray effect. It is crucial to regularly clean and maintain the nozzles. Specialized cleaning agents can be used to soak and flush the nozzles to remove attached salt crystals.
The salt spray testing chamber is sealed with water. Before the test, add a suitable amount of purified water or distilled water to the water tank on top of the chamber. The heating water tank and the air saturation barrel of the equipment should also be timely refilled to prevent damage to certain components during the heating process.
Before the test, check whether the water pipes of the sprayer, the fog discharge pipe, and the connecting pipes to the air source are all properly connected to ensure normal supply of the salt solution and air source. The fog must be discharged smoothly without leakage, to achieve ideal test results.
When placing samples, keep a certain distance between the samples and the chamber walls, and also space out different samples. Each item should be evenly placed, and the test area should not be less than 98%.
The operation of the salt spray testing chamber should not be interrupted. If it is necessary to observe or record the test samples or add test solvents, temporarily halting the test might be unavoidable. Since the salt water or acidic salt water solvents used in the test are highly corrosive, operators should ensure their own protection, especially of exposed areas like hands and face, to prevent harm from the salt water spray.
It is best to use the same type of sample or samples with the same test duration in a single test. Otherwise, different materials may have different corrosion resistance, leading to a situation where some items may show corrosion spots and require stopping the test while others have not yet reacted, thus failing to achieve synchronization.
In conclusion, solving the spray crystallization of the salt spray testing chamber requires addressing multiple aspects like solution preparation, air pressure, temperature control, and nozzle maintenance to ensure the normal operation of the test chamber and the reliability of the test results. As a device simulating atmospheric corrosion environments, the salt spray testing chamber has certain operational requirements for staff during use to ensure smooth and accurate testing, safety, and prolonged equipment lifespan.