Electrical devices that contain electrical contacts generally contain some copper-based materials. Atmospheric corrosion of copper parts in such devices often occurs in service environments. A quantitative measure of the effect of a laboratory corrosion test on copper permits assessment of the severity of the test. In addition, corrosion tests may be defined in terms of their effect on copper; this test method provides a way of comparing one test against a standard defined elsewhere, or allows a comparison of the performance of a test over a period of time. Although this test method provides for a relatively simple check of a test, the user is advised that additional analysis of the test chamber ambient is generally required to reproduce test conditions.

Atmospheric corrosion tests are used on a variety of materials besides copper. Care should be exercised in drawing conclusions about the effects on such materials of apparently equivalent tests if the composition of gases or experimental conditions are different. The primary use of this calibration test method is to assure correlation among nominally identical tests.

1.1 This test method covers the calibration of atmospheric corrosion test chambers for electrical contacts that produce an adherent film of corrosion product on copper, such as a test comprised of a mixture of flowing gases that react with copper.

1.2 This test method is not applicable to tests where corrosion products may be removed from a copper surface during the test by fluids.

1.3 This test method is not applicable to tests where airborne solid or liquid material may be deposited on a copper surface during the test, as in a test which includes particulates suspended in the atmosphere.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

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 become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.