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DO-160-Section-14-Salt-Spray

RTCA DO-160 Section 14.0 Salt Fog Testing

The RTCA DO-160 salt fog test standard determines the effects of ocean conditions. These conditions are a salt atmosphere that can be extremely corrosive. Products placed in service on a plane operated near or over a salt water body of water are susceptible.

From an order of procedure standpoint, the salt fog test must always follow the fungus resistance test. It should also be stated that the salt fog test can have several different names. Names such as salt mist test and salt spray test are all essentially the same test.

What Does A Salt Atmosphere Do To Equipment?

Salt atmospheres can be highly corrosive. This corrosion can occur in a short period of exposure. The corrosion can clog or bind moving parts. This clogging is often the direct result of salt deposits. Insulation can breakdown and become ineffective. Electrical components can be very susceptible to damage. For instance, wires and contacts can become faulty.

RTCA DO-160 Salt-Fog Test Equipment Categories:

The DO-160G Section 14 test standard specifies one category of equipment.

Equipment Category S:

Equipment installed in locations subjected to a corrosive atmosphere in the course of normal aircraft operations. Equipment meeting this description must go through RTCA-DO-160 salt spray testing.

Equipment Category T:

Equipment installed in locations where it is subjected to a severe salt atmosphere. This can include equipment exposed directly to external unfiltered air on hovering aircraft that may operate or be parked near the sea. Equipment meeting this description must go through RTCA-DO-160 salt mist testing.

What Equipment Is Needed to Conduct Salt Mist Testing?

A salt fog test lab like Keystone Compliance must have various pieces of equipment to complete the test. The main item is a salt spray chamber. The chamber has support racks and a reservoir for the salt solution. The chamber must have access to compressed air and nozzles. These are used to atomize the salt solution. The salt mist testing chamber must have a means of heating and controlling the chamber temperature. In addition to temperature control, the air must be humidified.

Our salt fog testing is RTCA DO-160G accredited. We have the resources to meet nearly every fungus test need. Our lab features three different salt fog chambers of various sizes. We can accommodate small and large items. In addition to being accredited to complete RTCA-DO-160G testing, Keystone is also accredited to all previous versions of the standard. Please contact us to see firsthand why so many manufacturers rely on Keystone Compliance to be their RTCA DO-160 test lab.

Looking for other testing to other sections of RTCA DO-160 testing? Click on the links below:

Modifications from one Version of RTCA DO-160 to the Next:

Changes from DO-160C Salt Mist Testing to DO-160D Salt Mist Testing

Change functional test criteria. Functional test may now be performed following 48 hour dry-out period.

Changes from DO-160D Salt Mist Testing to DO-160E Salt Mist Testing

Title of section was changed from Salt Spray to Salt Fog. Category T was added for severe salt atmosphere.

Changes from DO-160E Salt Mist Testing to DO-160F Salt Mist Testing

Changed term Salt Spray to Salt Fog throughout this section.

Changes from DO-160F Salt Mist Testing to DO-160G Salt Mist Testing

Add alternating periods of exposure and drying.  Suppress the drying before power up for Category T.