Ascott Analytical Equipment was established 30 years ago as a specialist manufacturer of corrosion test cabinets. Today we’re one of the leading suppliers of salt spray cabinets and cyclic corrosion cabinets in the World. Our business is totally focused on corrosion test equipment, we don’t make anything else and this provides a degree of expertise that our competition can’t match.
Based in Tamworth where all of our cabinets are manufactured we export to all corners of the world, winning three awards for our export success in 2017.
Our latest corrosion cabinet range embodies customer led innovation, blending performance and technical excellence. The creation and control of corrosive climates has never been more demanding. The development of new materials and surface coatings, plus increasing user expectations gives rise to ever more rigorous testing. This is our forte. Let our expertise be your reassurance that choosing an Ascott chamber will ensure your testing is precise, compliant and repeatable.
Our equipment leads the world technically, but we also pride ourselves on offering excellent value for money.
Salt Spray Chambers – Key Features
Ascott salt spray cabinets and chambers – one of the world’s most modern and most versatile salt spray corrosion test systems – and with design, ergonomics and quality that’s in a class of its own.
Chambers to cover every testing requirement from continuous salt spray test through to condensation humidity and modified tests.
Two specification levels:
Standard
Standard models meet the requirements of basic, continuous salt spray tests conducted at a single temperature only, such as ASTM B117 and similar international test standards, and may be used with pH neutral salt solutions (NSS) or those acidified by the addition of Acetic Acid (ASS) or Cupric Acid (CASS).
Premium
Premium models can perform the same basic salt spray tests, but in addition are equipped with extra features which enable them to undertake ‘modified’ tests such as those defined in ASTM G85. Here conventional salt spray is often combined with one other climate, in a two-part cycle, to accelerate the test. For example: salt spray and condensation humidity (SWAAT) or salt spray and drying (PROHESION) or salt spray and SO2 testing.
Six model sizes:
- 120 Ltr (4.2 cu ft)
- 450 Ltr (15.8 cu ft)
- 1000 Ltr (35.3 cu ft)
- 1300 Ltr (45.9 cu ft)
- 2000 Ltr (70.6 cu ft)
- 2600 Ltr (91.8 cu ft)
All Ascott corrosion test chamber models feature:
- Low loading threshold for ergonomic loading and unloading.
- ‘Easy Open’ pneumatically operated canopy, with safety interlock.
- Dry seal gasket to prevent wetting the operator’s clothes.
- Timed canopy lock and purge of the cabinet interior with fresh air after testing and before the chamber is opened.
- Easily accessible salt spray atomizer(s) in transparent hard-wearing acrylic, for ease of maintenance.
- External portable salt solution tank for ease of cleaning. 73L for 450L Chambers and 90L for 1000L Chambers and above.
- Central viewing window for unimpeded visual access to chamber interior and test material.
- Base castors and integrated fork lift lift truck runners, for ease of transportation.
- A free choice of canopy colour.
- Calibration certificate.
- Consumables spares kit.
Additional features of Premium Salt Spray Chambers:
- Integrated immersion heater to create condensation humidity, for testing to a wider range of ‘modified’ salt spray tests.
- Intuitive touch-screen, full color user control interface, employing the latest version of our highly intuitive operating software, for ease of programming and use.
- The operating software has a very large capacity for the creation of complex multi-step test programmes, so that the widest possible range of test profiles can be accommodated.
- The icon based control interface offers a variety of languages built-in for ease of understanding and use.
- RJ45 communications port enabling the chamber to be wired or wirelessly connected to a local area network (LAN) for logging and remote programming via a computer running optional software.
- A real-time, user configurable ‘clock’ to enable different test samples to be batched and have their exposure time monitored separately, with alarms to warn when a pre-set test period has been completed.
Cyclic Corrosion Chambers – Key Features
Ascott cyclic corrosion cabinets – one of the world’s most sophisticated and versatile corrosion test systems available, combining salt spray with other environmental conditions such as controlled humidity, drying and wetting.
Five model sizes:
- 450 Ltr (15.8 cu ft)
- 1000 Ltr (35.3 cu ft)
- 1300 Ltr (45.9 cu ft)
- 2000 Ltr (70.6 cu ft)
- 2600 Ltr (91.8 cu ft)
Extensive optional testing facilities:
Extensive range optional testing facilities, such as refrigeration and liquid immersion.
All Ascott Cyclic Corrosion Test chambers feature:
- Low loading threshold for ergonomic loading and unloading.
- ‘Easy Open’ pneumatically operated canopy, with safety interlock.
- Dry seal gasket to prevent wetting the operator’s clothes.
- Timed canopy lock and purge of the cabinet interior with fresh air after testing and before the chamber is opened.
- Easily accessible salt spray atomizer(s) in transparent hard-wearing acrylic, for ease of maintenance.
- External portable salt solution tank for ease of cleaning. 73L for 450L Chambers and 90L for 1000L Chambers and above.
- Central viewing window for unimpeded visual access to chamber interior and test material.
- Base castors and fork integrated lift lift truck runners, for ease of transportation.
- Choice of canopy colour.
- Calibration certificate.
- Consumables spares kit.
- Intuitive touch-screen, full color user control interface, employing the latest version of our highly intuitive operating software, for ease of programming and use.
- The operating software has a very large capacity for the creation of complex multi-step test programmes, so that the widest possible range of test profiles can be accommodated.
- The icon based control interface offers a variety of languages built-in for ease of understanding and use.
- RJ45 communications port enabling the chamber to be wired or wirelessly connected to a local area network (LAN) for logging and remote programming via a computer running optional software.
- A real-time, user configurable ‘clock’ to enable different test samples to be batched and have their exposure time monitored separately, with alarms to warn when a pre-set test period has been completed.
Atmosfär Chambers – Key Features
Atmosfär chambers have been specifically designed for fully automatic testing in accordance with highly demanding laboratory-accelerated corrosion tests which have become increasingly popular in some sectors of the automotive industry.
These tests are cyclic in nature and comprise of exposure under controlled and varying conditions of temperature and humidity, with intermittent spraying of a salt solution directly on to the samples under test, from a high level swaying spray bar.
Two model sizes:
- 1300 Ltr (45.9 cu ft)
- 2600 Ltr (91.8 cu ft)
Extensive optional testing facilities:
Extensive range optional testing facilities, such as SO2 gas dosing and liquid immersion.
All Ascott Atmosfär Corrosion Test chambers feature:
- Oscillating spray bar with magnetically coupled drive system, for compliance with the most demanding automotive test standards.
- Integrated air conditioning unit, to achieve demanding temperature and humidity combinations.
- Psychrometric humidity control module, for more exacting control of humidity, especially at levels around 95% RH.
Plus the features of Ascott CCT corrosion test chambers:
- Ergonomic design low loading threshold for easy loading and unloading.
- ‘Easy Open’ pneumatically operated canopy.
- Dry seal gasket prevents wetting operator’s clothes, etc.
- External Large capacity salt solution reservoirs for ease of cleaning.
- Calibration certificate.
- Canopy color choice.
- Interior viewing window.
- Consumables spares kit.
- Easily accessible salt spray atomizer(s) in transparent hard-wearing acrylic.
- Purge of the cabinet interior with fresh air after testing and before the chamber is opened.
- Touch-screen, full color user control interface, employing the latest version of our highly intuitive operating software, for ease of programming and use.
- The operating software has a very large capacity for the creation of complex multi-step test programmes, so that the widest possible range of test profiles can be accommodated.
- The icon based control interface offers a variety of languages built-in for ease of understanding and use.
- RJ45 communications port enabling the chamber to be wired or wirelessly connected to a local area network (LAN) for logging and remote programming via a computer running optional software.
- A real-time, user configurable ‘clock’ to enable different test samples to be batched and have their exposure time monitored separately, with alarms to warn when a pre-set test period has been completed.
- External portable salt solution tanks for ease of cleaning – One at 90L and one at 160L.
Alpha+ Salt Spray Testing Equipment
Alpha+ Salt Spray Testing Equipment / cabinets are for common corrosion test standards.
Alpha+ Salt Spray Testing Equipment are designed to appeal to the modern test laboratory. They offer affordability and the equipment is easy to install, simple to operate and reliable in service.
- A range of 4 salt spray cabinets.
- Two sizes, with either 500 or 1000 Litre internal capacities (16.6 / 35.3 cu ft).
- Two models available, S and SP.
S Model Features
- Robust glass reinforced plastic (GRP) construction, a durable impact resistant material with strong chemical and corrosion resistant properties to ensure a long life.
- Fully transparent and seamless domed canopy providing 360 degree visibility. The canopy is self supporting when open.
- Designed specifically for short-terms tests (up to 240 hours duration).
- Cabinet heated by externally mounted heater mats, protecting them against damage from the corrosive climate inside the cabinet. They also ensure uniform heat distribution inside the cabinet.
- Heated bubble tower humidifies the compressed air en-route to the salt fog atomiser, in full compliance with international test standards.
- Bubble tower can be topped up with water automatically, or by hand via the manual filler port.
- Utilises the atomisers’ venturi effect combined with the air pressure regulator and gauge to deliver a uniform and continuous fall-out of salt fog on to the samples under test.
- Supplied with a 90L external salt water solution tank which is easier to fill and clean than an integral tank.
- The all plastic atomiser has an integral filter in addition to a filter on the reservoir feed pipe to prevent salt crystal build-up. This build up could block the outlet nozzle and disrupting the test.
- Cabinets can be operated with a wet or dry base.
- Insulated non-transparent roof blanket is also an option which offers greater thermal efficiency available as an option.
SP Model Additional Features
- SP models are equipped with an advanced control system featuring a peristaltic pump based salt water delivery system, coupled with a user adjustable precision speed controller.
- Ensures consistent fall-out of salt spray / fog on to the test samples, over longer term duration tests (240+ hours of continuous salt spray testing) especially if such testing is unattended.
Alpha+ Humidity Test Cabinets
Alpha+ humidity test cabinets for saturated/condensation humidity testing
Alpha+ humidity test cabinets are affordable, easy to install & simple to operate.
- Two sizes, with either 500 or 1000 Litre internal capacities (16.6 / 35.3 cu ft).
- Robust glass reinforced plastic (GRP) construction, a durable impact resistant material with strong chemical and corrosion resistant properties to ensure a long life.
- Fully transparent and seamless domed canopy providing 360-degree visibility, self-supporting when open.
- Easy to install – minimal number of external service connections
- Simple to operate – intuitive touch screen interface
- Reliable – uncomplicated design backed by 25 years of manufacturing experience
- Manufactured from a robust glass reinforced plastic (GRP) construction, combined with other non-corroding materials, to guarantee a trouble free long life.
- Visually striking, transparent domed roof providing unimpeded 360° viewing of the cabinet interior.
- Latching roof stays for ease of loading.
- Self-regenerating water trap seal, preventing salt fog escaping during operation.
- Ergonomically positioned menu-driven touch screen controller for comfortable and intuitive control.
- Timed stop facility and hours run counter.
- Maximised cross-sectional load area, enabling a large number of samples to be tested at any one time, without compromising ergonomics.
- Supplied with complimentary corrosion proof sample holders.
- Internal base loading platform available as an optional accessory for large/heavy objects to be located in the base of the cabinet.
- Precise temperature controlled, high humidity environment. Water held in a sump located in the cabinet base, is heated by an immersion heater to generate water vapour. As water vapour evaporates, it saturates the cabinet atmosphere with moisture. Test samples in the cabinet, below the dew-point temperature of the saturated air, will develop surface condensation.
- By careful design, the high humidity environment is achieved without the need for a circulation fan, which would otherwise have to endure the hostile, high humidity environment.
- Safety cut-outs ensure the immersion heater is automatically isolated if the water reservoir runs dry.
- User can program either a single set temperature, or automatically cycle the cabinet temperature between two different temperatures for user-defined periods of time.
- Automatic filling and topping up of the humidity water reservoir if connected to a pressurised water supply
Corro-Salt
• Highest purity salt for serious testing
• For all salt spray testing including the stringent ASTM B117
• Available in 25 kg drums or bags
• 25 kg drums are supplied with a scoop to maintain purity when handling
Despite the fact that salt is a commonly occurring compound, pure sodium chloride (NaCl) is much more difficult to come by. Because of its hygroscopic nature, which tends to make salt coagulate and solidify, most granulated salt has anti-caking agents added. However, the addition of these agents is prohibited by most salt spray test standards.
For example, the world’s most popular salt spray test standard; ASTM B117, prohibits the addition of anticaking agents, and also limits other impurities, as follows: total impurities < 0.3%, halides excluding chloride < 0.1%, copper < 0.3ppm – so the salt must be very pure indeed, with the limit for copper in particular set at an extremely low level. Other national and international test standards for corrosion testing are similarly demanding in their specifications. To ensure compliance with the highest standards, Ascott has had Corro-Salt independently analysed by an UKAS* accredited laboratory. *UKAS = United Kingdom Accreditation Service.
Specification
Typical analysis Total impurities
< 0.01 % Bromide
< 0.01 % Fluoride
< 0.01 % Iodide
< 0.3 ppm Copper