Additional corrosion test capabilities have been added to Element Materials Technology’s lab in Wednesbury, UK. The Suga CCT-2LCE combined cyclic test chamber offers a new option in accelerated degradation testing, enabling testing to meet new corrosive environment standards, including VDA 233-102. It also enables multiple evaluations to be performed at once, combining salt and spray environmental testing in one.
Natalie Phelan, automotive laboratory manager at Element Materials Technology, commented, “Degradation testing is a fundamental stage of the research and development process for nearly all metal components used within the automotive manufacturing process. With the latest VDA 233-102 testing standard mandating even further guidance on best practice, Element has invested in a state-of-the-art CCT chamber to ensure we are well placed to support the needs of our customers throughout the automotive supply chain.”
Up to 96 specimens (up to 150 x 70 x 1mm in size) of different materials or coatings can be analyzed at the same time on one cycle, with constant salt spray or cyclic salt spray. The chamber can be programmed to run all tests at low, ambient and hot temperatures ranging from -20°C to 70°C, with humidity from 5% to 95%rh.
“Crucially, the Suga CCT-2LCE ensures we can run a broad range of real-world exposure tests in both a time- and cost-efficient manner. It is our third salt spray machine with cyclic capabilities, and due to the breadth of equipment we have on-site, we can typically commence testing rapidly after receiving samples.”
With the installation of the Suga CCT-2LCE, Element will also be able to better support customers in the aluminum, steel, marine and rail industries, as James Bulmer, business development manager at Element Materials Technology, said, “With the Suga CCT-2LCE, not only can our automotive customers benefit from quicker turnaround with testing, but it also opens the door to other industries where this type of combined testing may not have been thought possible, such as in marine and rail. Ultimately, customers can save costs and get products out to market much faster.”
