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 1078

The VW Volkswagen PV 1078 Test Specification defines the assessment criteria for the corrosion resistance of surface-protected, Corrosive highly stressed chassis components based on iron materials, especially low-alloy steels, solid (e.g. subframes, wishbones, cross struts).
Its a two part test, a combination as follows:

  • INKA Component Test
    • Step 1 Dry phase @ 40°C/40%RH for 4 hours
    • Step 2 Salt Spray Phase @ 35°C for 0.5 hours
    • Step 3 Wetting Phase @ 40°C/95%RH for 7.5 hours
    • Step 4 Dry phase @ 40°C/40%RH for 4 hours
    • Step 5 Controlled Humidity @ 50°C/80%RH for 8 hours
  • Alternating Climate Test in accordance with PV 1200 (+80°C/-40°C)
    • Limit temperatures: 80°C and -40°C
    • Holding time at limit temperature: 4 h
    • Heating-up and cooling-down times: 2 h
    • Relative humidity at 80°C/80%RH

Both the above tests can be ran in a single Ascott chamber

1 cycle lasts one week and is divided as follows:
A: A: B: B: A: A: A, where:
A = INKA component test,
B = storage according to PV 1200.
The start of the test is always “A” with 5 consecutive days.
The test duration for subframes and cavity-forming chassis parts is 6 cycles (this corresponds to 6 weeks).

this is a VW Volkswagen / Audi Test Standard. Also see PV 1209 & PV 1200.