Significance and Use

The CASS test is widely employed and is useful for specification acceptance, simulated service evaluation, manufacturing control, and research and development. It was developed specifically for use with decorative, electrodeposited nickel/chromium and copper/nickel/chromium coatings. Use of the test has improved the quality of electroplated parts and led to the development of new and superior electroplating processes.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method prescribes the conditions required in copper-accelerated acetic acid-salt spray (CASS) testing for specification purposes. The standard does not specify the type of test specimen or exposure periods to be used for a specific product, nor the interpretation to be given to the results.

1.2 This test method is applicable to evaluating the corrosive performance of decorative copper/nickel/chromium or nickel/chromium coatings on steel, zinc alloys, aluminum alloys, and plastics designed for severe service. It is also applicable to the testing of anodized aluminum. The suitability of this test and correlation of results with service experience should be determined before it is specified for coating systems or materials other than those mentioned in this paragraph.

Note 1The following standards are not requirements. They are referenced for information only: Practices B 537 and E 50 , Specifications B 456 and B 604 , and Test Method B 602 .

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, 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. For more specific safety precautionary information see 8.1.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus

B162 Specification for Nickel Plate, Sheet, and Strip

B456 Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium

B537 Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected to Atmospheric Exposure

B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings

B604 Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials

E70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the Glass Electrode

Keywords

Steel--electrodeposited coatings; Zinc electrodeposited coatings; Accelerated aging/testing--salt spray (fog) testing; Acetic acid-salt spray (fog) testing; Aluminum coatings; Anodic coatings--Al/Al alloys); CASS test; Copper; Corrosion--salt-spray (fog) testing; Electrodeposited Cu coatings; Nickel-chromium alloy coatings; Salt spray (fog) testing;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 77.060 (Corrosion of metals)

DOI: 10.1520/B0368-09

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM B368