ASTM B117 Salt Spray Test Standard

Everything engineers need to know about ASTM B117: test procedure, acceptance criteria, limitations, and how to run a compliant test. Technical guide.

ASTM B117 is the reference method most buyers and labs use when they need a repeatable neutral salt spray apparatus. It defines how the fog is generated, controlled, collected, and monitored inside the chamber.

What ASTM B117 Covers

  • Salt solution concentration, pH, and collection rate expectations.
  • The apparatus and operating conditions needed for reproducible fog exposure.
  • How the chamber environment is controlled during the test run.

What ASTM B117 Does Not Decide

  • It does not define universal pass-fail duration for every material or finish.
  • It does not replace the coating, plating, or OEM standard that references it.
  • It does not automatically represent real-world cyclic outdoor corrosion exposure.