The small size of the wire compared to the short galvanic interaction distance in atmospheric exposures gives a large cathode-to-anode area ratio which accelerates the galvanic attack. The area between the wire and the threads creates a long, tight crevice, also accelerating the corrosion. For these reasons, this practice, with a typical exposure period of 90 days, is the most rapid atmospheric galvanic corrosion test, particularly compared to Test Method . The short duration of this test means that seasonal atmospheric variability can be evaluated. (If average performance over a 1-year period is desired, several staggered exposures are required with this technique.) Reproducibility of this practice is somewhat better than other atmospheric galvanic corrosion tests.

The major disadvantage of this test is that the anode material must be available in wire form and the cathodic material must be available in the form of a threaded rod. This should be compared to Test Method where plate or sheet material is used exclusively.

An additional limitation is that the more anodic material of the pair must be known beforehand (from information such as in Guide G82) or assemblies must be made with the material combinations reversed.

The morphology of the corrosion attack or its effect on mechanical properties of the base materials cannot be assessed by this practice. Test Method is preferable for this purpose.

This test has been used under the names CLIMAT and ATCORR to determine atmospheric corrosivity by exposing identical specimens made from 1100 aluminum (UNS A91100) wire wrapped around threaded rods of nylon, 1010 mild steel (UNS G10100 or G10080), and CA110 copper (UNS C11000). Atmospheric corrosivity is a function of the material that is corroding, however. The relative corrosivity of atmospheres could be quite different if a different combination of materials is chosen.

1. Scope

1.1 This practice covers the evaluation of atmospheric galvanic corrosion of any anodic material that can be made into a wire when in contact with a cathodic material that can be made into a threaded rod.

1.2 When certain materials are used for the anode and cathode, this practice has been used to rate the corrosivity of atmospheres.

1.3 The wire-on-bolt test was first described in 1955 (1), and has since been used extensively with standard materials to determine corrosivity of atmospheres under the names CLIMAT Test (CLassify Industrial and Marine ATmospheres) (2-5) and ATCORR (ATmospheric CORRosivity) (6-9).

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

G1 Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens

G3 Practice for Conventions Applicable to Electrochemical Measurements in Corrosion Testing

G15 Terminology Relating to Corrosion and Corrosion Testing

G16 Guide for Applying Statistics to Analysis of Corrosion Data

G50 Practice for Conducting Atmospheric Corrosion Tests on Metals

G82 Guide for Development and Use of a Galvanic Series for Predicting Galvanic Corrosion Performance

G84 Practice for Measurement of Time-of-Wetness on Surfaces Exposed to Wetting Conditions as in Atmospheric Corrosion Testing

G91 Practice for Monitoring Atmospheric SO2 Deposition Rate for Atmospheric Corrosivity Evaluation

G92 Practice for Characterization of Atmospheric Test Sites

G104 Test Method for Assessing Galvanic Corrosion Caused by the Atmosphere

Keywords

aluminum; architectural materials; ATCORR test; atmospheric corrosion; atmospheric corrosivity; bolts; CLIMAT test; copper; corrosion; corrosion test; corrosivity; galvanic corrosion; rod; wire; wire-on-bolt test; Wire-on-bolt test; Accelerated aging/testing--corrosion; Aluminum coatings; Aluminum (corrosion testing); Anodes; Architectural materials/applications; ATCORR test; Atmospheric corrosion analysis; CLIMAT test; Copper corrosion; Galvanic corrosion; Rapid atmospheric galvanic corrosion testing; UNS A91100 (Wr. alum. alloy); UNS C11000 (electrolytic tough pitch coper (ETP)); UNS G10080 (carbon steel); UNS G10100 (carbon steel) ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 25.220.40 (Metallic coatings); 77.060 (Corrosion of metals)

Citing ASTM Standards

[Back to Top]