1.1 This test method monitors the reactivity of a gaseous test environment in which metal surfaces (that is, electrical contacts) and other materials subject to pollutant gas attack, undergo accelerated atmospheric corrosion testing. This test method is applicable to adherent corrosion films whose total corrosion film thickness ranges from a few atomic monolayers to approximately a micrometer.

1.2 The test method provides a dynamic, continuous, in situ, procedure for monitoring the corrosion rate in corrosion chambers; the uniformity of corrosion chambers; and the corrosion rate on different surfaces. Response time of the order of seconds is possible.

1.3 With the proper samples, the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) test method can also be used to monitor the weight loss from a surface due to the desorption of surface species (that is, reduction of an oxide in a reducing atmosphere). (Alternative names for QCM are quartz crystal oscillator, piezoelectric crystal oscillator, or thin film evaporation monitor.)

1.4 This test method is not sufficient to specify the corrosion process which may be occurring in a chamber, since a variety of pollutant gases and environments may cause similar weight gains.

1.5 This test method is generally not applicable to test environments where solid or liquid particles are deposited on the surface of the quartz crystal.

1.6 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.

1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.