Can the salt spray test chamber be used as a constant temperature and humidity test chamber?

Many users believe that the salt spray test chamber also has the function of constant temperature and humidity, and can be used for constant temperature and humidity testing within its temperature and humidity range. In fact, the functions of each device are unique and should not be confused.

Here I would like to share with you the difference between a salt spray test chamber and a constant temperature and humidity test chamber:

Core objective: To assess corrosion resistance

Simulation environment: mainly simulates the humid atmosphere containing salt spray in the ocean, industry, etc
Working principle: Spray salt water (sodium chloride solution or modified salt water) through compressed air atomization inside the box.
Testing method: Accelerated corrosion test, evaluating the product's corrosion resistance for several years or even more than ten years in a short period of time through a harsh salt spray environment.
Main applications: electroplating, coatings, automotive components, electronic connectors, aerospace materials, etc.

Core objective: To assess the reliability and stability of the product in temperature and humidity environments.
Simulated environment: Simulate various temperature, humidity, and climate conditions worldwide.
Working principle: Through refrigeration, heating, humidification, and dehumidification systems, the temperature and relative humidity inside the box are precisely controlled.
Testing method: Environmental adaptability test, which verifies the performance, functionality, electrical safety, etc. of the product under specific temperature and humidity conditions (such as high temperature and high humidity, low temperature and low humidity, temperature and humidity cycling).
Main applications: electronic appliances, batteries PCB、 Almost all industrial fields, including medicine, food, and materials research.

Can the salt spray test chamber be used as a constant temperature and humidity test chamber? The reasons are as follows:

The core function of the salt spray test chamber is to generate and control salt spray. Although it also has a heating system (used to maintain the temperature inside the box, such as 35 ℃ or 50 ℃), it does not have a humidification and dehumidification system. Its humidity comes from the evaporation of salt spray and cannot be precisely controlled or adjusted.

The constant temperature and humidity test chamber has four complete systems: heating, cooling, humidification (usually boiler steam humidification or ultrasonic humidification), and dehumidification (condensation through the refrigeration system), in order to achieve precise control and programming of temperature and humidity (e.g. 25 ℃± 2 ℃, 95% ± 5% R.H.).

The interior of the salt spray test chamber is filled with corrosive chloride media. If a constant temperature and humidity test is attempted, these salt particles will seriously contaminate the test sample.

For electronic components, precision instruments, pharmaceuticals, and other products, trace amounts of salt adhesion can lead to catastrophic consequences such as circuit corrosion, short circuits, and performance failures. This goes against the original intention of constant temperature and humidity testing.

The sensors and internal components of the constant temperature and humidity test chamber are designed for clean environments. If the salt spray test chamber is used for non salt spray testing, the residual salt inside will corrode the core components such as the heater, sensor, and blower of the chamber, greatly shortening the service life of the equipment.