ASTM B368-21

Standard Test Method for Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing (CASS Test)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The CASS test is widely employed and is useful for specification acceptance, simulated service evaluation, manufacturing control, and research and development. It was developed specifically for use with decorative, electrodeposited nickel/chromium and copper/nickel/chromium coatings. Use of the test has improved the quality of electroplated parts and led to the development of new and superior electroplating processes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method prescribes the conditions required in copper-accelerated acetic acid-salt spray (CASS) testing for specification purposes. The standard does not specify the type of test specimen or exposure periods to be used for a specific product, nor the interpretation to be given to the results.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to evaluating the corrosive performance of decorative copper/nickel/chromium or nickel/chromium coatings on steel, zinc alloys, aluminum alloys, and plastics designed for severe service. It is also applicable to the testing of anodized aluminum. The suitability of this test and correlation of results with service experience should be determined before it is specified for coating systems or materials other than those mentioned in this paragraph.  
Note 1: The following standards are not requirements. They are referenced for information only: Practices B537 and E50, Specifications B456 and B604, and Test Method B602.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For more specific safety precautionary information see 8.1.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2021
• ICS: 77.060 - Corrosion of metals
• Technical Committee: B08 - Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
• Drafting Committee: B08.10 - Test Methods

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: B368 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing
1
(CASS Test)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B368; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method prescribes the conditions required in 2.1 ASTM Standards:
copper-accelerated acetic acid-salt spray (CASS) testing for B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
specification purposes. The standard does not specify the type B162 Specification for Nickel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
of test specimen or exposure periods to be used for a specific B456 Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper
product, nor the interpretation to be given to the results. Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
B537 Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected
1.2 This test method is applicable to evaluating the corro-
to Atmospheric Exposure
sive performance of decorative copper/nickel/chromium or
B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and
nickel/chromium coatings on steel, zinc alloys, aluminum
Inorganic Coatings
alloys, and plastics designed for severe service. It is also
B604 Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings of
applicable to the testing of anodized aluminum. The suitability
Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics
of this test and correlation of results with service experience
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
should be determined before it is specified for coating systems
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
or materials other than those mentioned in this paragraph.
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
NOTE 1—The following standards are not requirements. They are
Related Materials
referenced for information only: Practices B537 and E50, Specifications
E70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the
B456 and B604, and Test Method B602.
Glass Electrode
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3. Significance and Use
standard.
3.1 The CASS test is widely employed and is useful for
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
specification acceptance, simulated service evaluation, manu-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
facturing control, and research and development. It was devel-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
oped specifically for use with decorative, electrodeposited
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
nickel/chromiumandcopper/nickel/chromiumcoatings.Useof
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the test has improved the quality of electroplated parts and led
For more specific safety precautionary information see 8.1.
to the development of new and superior electroplating pro-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
cesses.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Apparatus
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1 The apparatus required for the CASS test consists of a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
fog chamber, a salt-solution reservoir, a supply of compressed
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
air, one or more atomizing nozzles, specimen supports, provi-
sion for heating the chamber, and necessary means of control.
4.2 The size and detailed construction of the apparatus are
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee B08 on Metallic
optional, provided the conditions meet the requirements of this
and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on
Test Methods.
Current edition approved April 1, 2021. Published April 2021. Originally
2
approvedin1961.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2014asB368 – 09(2014).DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/B0368-21. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
The CASS test was developed by the initiative of the Research Board of the Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
American Electroplaters Society under AES Project 15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM In
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B368 − 09 (Reapproved 2014) B368 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Copper-Accelerated Acetic Acid-Salt Spray (Fog) Testing
1
(CASS Test)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B368; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method prescribes the conditions required in copper-accelerated acetic acid-salt spray (CASS) testing for
specification purposes. The standard does not specify the type of test specimen or exposure periods to be used for a specific
product, nor the interpretation to be given to the results.
1.2 This test method is applicable to evaluating the corrosive performance of decorative copper/nickel/chromium or nickel/
chromium coatings on steel, zinc alloys, aluminum alloys, and plastics designed for severe service. It is also applicable to the
testing of anodized aluminum. The suitability of this test and correlation of results with service experience should be determined
before it is specified for coating systems or materials other than those mentioned in this paragraph.
NOTE 1—The following standards are not requirements. They are referenced for information only: Practices B537 and E50, Specifications B456 and B604,
and Test Method B602.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For more specific safety precautionary information see 8.1.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
B162 Specification for Nickel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
B456 Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium and Nickel Plus Chromium
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and Inorganic Coatings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B08.10 on Test
Methods.
Current edition approved May 1, 2014April 1, 2021. Published May 2014April 2021. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 20092014 as
B368 – 09.B368 – 09(2014). DOI: 10.1520/B0368-09R14.10.1520/B0368-21.
The CASS test was developed by the initiative of the Research Board of the American Electroplaters Society under AES Project 15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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B368 − 21
B537 Practice for Rating of Electroplated Panels Subjected to Atmospheric Exposure
B602 Test Method for Attribute Sampling of Metallic and Inorganic Coatings
B604 Specification for Decorative Electroplated Coatings of Copper Plus Nickel Plus Chromium on Plastics
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the Glass Electrode
3. Significance and Use
3.1 The CASS test is widely employed and is useful for specification acceptance, simulated service evaluation, manufacturing
control, and research and development. It was developed specifically for use with decorative, electrodeposited nickel/chromium
and copper/nickel/chromium coatings. Use of the test has improved the quality of electroplated parts and led to the development
of new and superior electroplating processes.
4.
...