Corrosion Testing Standards

The test standard summaries are for general guidance only. Though believed to be accurate at the time of writing, this may change over time. So this information should not be used as a substitute for referring to a complete test standard, at an appropriate revision level.

Note: the terms salt spray, salt mist and salt fog are all in wide spread use within corrosion test standards. In this context they can be considered to be equivalent and interchangeable terms.

VW PV 1210

PV 1210 Climate Corrosion Test Cycle (VW/Audi)

This standard specifies a test method to determine the corrosion resistance of automotive bodies, assemblies and components. It is cyclic in nature, i.e.; test specimens are exposed to changing climates over time.

Test specimens are placed in an enclosed chamber and exposed to a changing climate that comprises of the following 3 part repeating cycle.

  • 4.0 hours exposure to salt spray according to DIN 50 021-SS.
  • followed by 4.0 hours exposure to an ambient climate according to DIN 50 014-23/50-2.
  •  followed by 16.0 hours exposure to a condensing water climate according to DIN 50 017-KK.

This 24 hour cycle is repeated for 5 days (nominally Monday to Friday). This is then followed by 48 hours (nominally a weekend) exposure to an ambient climate according to DIN 50 014-23/50-2, before the entire cycle repeats.

Please see elsewhere in this document for details of DIN 50 021-SS, DIN 50 014-23/50-2 & DIN 50 017-KK.

This is a VW Volkswagen / Audi test standard.