WORLDWIDE

ENGINEERING Test Procedure GMW3286

STANDARDS

Neutral Salt Spray (NSS) Test

1 Scope
Note: Nothing in this standard supercedes applicable laws and regulations.
Note: In the event of conflict between the English and domestic language, the English language shall take
precedence.
1.1 Purpose. The neutral salt spray test is typically used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of metallic
substrates and the corrosion preventative properties of coatings.
1.2 Foreword. This standard establishes test equipment and test specimen requirements for conducting the
neutral salt spray test. The chamber operation and test procedures are based on ISO 9227. Clarifications to
ISO 9227 requirements are defined below.
1.3 Applicability. The neutral salt spray test is typically used for quality control and process control
evaluations and not for simulating field performance.

2 References

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Note: Only the latest approved standards are applicable unless otherwise specified.
2.1 External Standards/Specifications.
ISO 9227
2.2 GM Standards/Specifications.
None

3 Resources
3.1 Facilities. Laboratory (preferably with controlled ambient conditions).
3.2 Equipment.
3.2.1 Test Chamber. The apparatus shall consist of an environmental chamber, a suitable water supply
conforming to ISO 9227 (section 3.1) requirements, provisions for humidification and heating of the chamber,
and the necessary means of control along with the ability to maintain the following environmental conditions:
3.2.1.1 Chamber Temperature: 35 ± 2 °C (95 ± 3 °F).
3.2.1.2 Humidity ~100% relative humidity (RH).
3.2.1.3 Humidification/Bubble Tower Temperature: May be adjusted such that the specified operating
conditions are met.
3.2.1.4 Humidification/Bubble Tower Pressure: May be adjusted such that the specified operating conditions
are met.
Note: Refer to ISO 9227, Annex A for schematic diagram of one possible design of test chamber.
3.2.2 Fog/Water Collection. Suitable collecting devices include glass or plastic funnels with the stems
2
inserted into collection vessels. Funnels with a diameter of 10 cm have an area of about 80 cm .
3.2.2.1 At least two clean fog collectors shall be placed within the exposure zone so that no drops of solution
from the test specimens or any other runoff source shall be collected.
3.2.2.2 The collectors shall be placed in the proximity of the test specimens.
2
3.2.2.3 Collection rates for each 80 cm of horizontal collection area should be in the range of 1.0 to 2.0 mL/h
in each collector. Exposure zones for test specimens shall be established based on demonstrated
conformance to the collection rate range.

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3.2.2.4 The pH of the collected solution must be in the range of 6.5 to 7.2, when measured at 25 ± 3 °C. It may
be necessary to adjust the pH by adding hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate solution
of analytical grade.
3.2.2.5 The specific gravity of the collected solution shall be 1.025 to 1.040 when measured at 25 ± 3 °C.
Note: Test chamber parameters, collection rates, pH, and specific gravity shall be monitored and recorded
daily (excluding weekends) during normal operation.
3.3 Test Vehicle/Test Piece. Not applicable.
3.4 Test Time. Typical:
Calendar time: 1 to 42 days
Test hours: 24 to 1000 hours
Coordination hours: 1 to 4 hours
3.5 Test Required Information. Not applicable
3.6 Personnel/Skills. Not applicable

4 Procedure
4.1 Preparation.
4.1.1 Test Solution Preparation. The salt solution in percent (%) by mass shall be as specified below:
 Sodium Chloride (NaCl): 5%
Note: Reagent grade or food grade sodium chloride may be used. The purity of the sodium chloride shall meet
ISO 9227 (section 3.1) requirements. Water must meet ISO 9227 (section 3.1) requirements.
4.1.2 Sample Preparation.
4.1.2.1 Samples shall be suitably cleaned, if necessary, prior to exposure. The cleaning method shall be
optional depending upon the nature of the surface and the type of contaminants. The cleaning shall not include
the use of abrasives or solvents which may compromise the test surface.
4.1.2.2 Cut edges, backs, and other test specimen imperfections shall be suitably coated or protected, per the
discretion of the test engineer, or per agreement between the test engineer and the requester, prior to the
initiation of the test.
4.1.2.3 Test specimens are generally oriented in the test chamber so that the dominant test surface is exposed
to the salt fog at approximately 15° to 30° from vertical. Specimens may be oriented at other angles if agreed
upon by the requester and the test engineer.
4.1.3 Chamber Preparation. Prior to initiation of testing, the salt solution and test chamber operating
conditions, based on a minimum of 16 h, shall be met.
4.2 Conditions.
4.2.1 Environmental Conditions. See 3.2.
4.2.2 Test Conditions. Deviations from the requirements of this standard shall have been agreed upon. Such
requirements shall be specified on component drawings, test certificates, reports, etc.
4.3 Instructions.
4.3.1 Chamber Operation. Chamber operation shall be continuous for the specified test periods. “Continuous”
testing is defined as testing that is interrupted only to allow for the daily collection of salt solution, to rearrange,
remove, or introduce new test specimens, or to perform necessary chamber maintenance and repair. The
number of interruptions shall be limited to three in any 24 h period, and shall be approximately ten minutes in
duration, where feasible.
4.3.1.1 Daily Chamber Activity.
 Record necessary parameters of chamber such as chamber temperature.
 Evacuate the chamber using safe operating and maintenance practices.
 Once chamber is evacuated the chamber can be accessed.
 Collect solution captured in each graduated cylinder.

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 Add or remove samples as necessary. Samples should be placed in locations verified to be within
specifications relative to solution collection rates.
 Restart chamber.
 Verify collected solution is within specification.
 Document solution parameters and adjust accordingly.
4.3.2 Test Duration. Duration of test shall be per the applicable product or material specification, or per
agreement between the requester and test engineer.

5 Data
5.1 Calculations. Not applicable.
5.2 Interpretation of Results. Evaluations (pre-test and post-test), rating methods, and acceptance criteria

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shall be specified within engineering documentation which includes: Material Specifications, Vehicle Technical
Specifications, Subsystem Technical Specifications, Component Technical Specifications, and Part Drawings.
5.3 Test Documentation.
5.3.1 Test Equipment.
5.3.1.1 The following chamber parameters should be recorded daily (excluding weekends):
 Chamber Temperature
 Humidification/Bubble Tower Temperature
 Humidification/Bubble Tower Pressure
5.3.2 Test Solution. The following information shall be recorded and available upon request:
5.3.2.1 Initial pH of each batch test solution.
5.3.2.2 Initial specific gravity of each batch test solution.
5.3.2.4 The following collected solution parameters should be recorded daily (excluding weekends):
 pH
 Specific gravity
5.3.3 Test Report. Test reports should include all pertinent test information.

6 Safety
This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not propose to
address all the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior
to use.

7 Notes
7.1 Glossary. Not applicable.
7.2 Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols.
GSSLT Global Subsystem Leadership Team
h hour
mL milliliter
RH Relative Humidity
NSS Neutral Salt Spray

8 Coding System
This standard shall be referenced in other documents, drawings, etc., as follows:
Test to GMW3286

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 GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW3286

9 Release and Revisions

This standard was originated in December 1999. It was first approved by Corrosion GSSLT in April 2006. It
was first published in May 2006.
Publication
Issue Description (Organization)
Date
1 MAY 2006 Initial publication.
2 OCT 2011 Five year refresh - converted
from Test Method to Test
Procedure. (Corrosion Global
Subsystem Leadership Team)

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© Copyright 2011 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

October 2011 Page 4 of 4

Copyright General Motors Company Order Number: 02088910

Provided by IHS under license with General Motors Company Sold to:KTL [700166100749] - [email protected],
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale,2016-01-18 02:55:25 UTC