Climate and corrosion tests

Exposure to artificial light, especially to UV, is a particular aspect of climatic tests. Particularly suitable for checking the behaviour of leathers, polymers or textiles, colour changes in items will be detected by comparison, or quantified by colorimetry.

Exposing leather straps to UV radiation under a xenon lamp

Among the various existing corrosion tests, the main ones we offer are salt spray tests, sulphur agent tests and synthetic sweat tests.

SALT SPRAY TESTS AS PER ISO 9227

The test pieces are placed in a test chamber, in which a saline solution is vaporised at a certain temperature. The test can be performed continuously, or not.  Since corrosion is a complex phenomenon, the test does not represent a simulation of reality. However, it is a very widespread method in the industry, used for improving and validating the behaviour of a variety of metal items.

Corrosion on a horn-case middle solder after salt spray testing

SULPHUR AGENT TESTS AS PER ISO 4538 (THIOACETAMIDE) OR NIHS 96-50 (SULPHUR CRYSTALS)

These tests involve qualifying the resistance of items to sulphur compounds which can be found in the environment.

  • Determining the resistance of electroplated silver jewellery (plated, silvered, rhodium-plated)
  • Determining the resistance of bulk alloy materials such as precious metals

Thioacetamide test
Sulfidation of a silver particle on a solid gold jewel

SYNTHETIC SWEAT TESTS AS PER ISO 3160-2 OR NFS 80772

This type of test is specifically tailored to watch exterior components in contact with the skin, as well as to jewellery items. It is used to detect any development of metal corrosion phenomena due to contact with sweat.

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  • Accreditation N° 0104