All posts by Paul Edwards

We are pleased to announce that another automotive research centre has chosen AWL for VDA 621-415 corrosion testing for various components that require joints and coatings to withstand the corrosive conditions provided by this VDA test profile.

The test is essentially the same as ISO 11997 cycle B and is popular at AWL using our array of Ascott cyclic corrosion test chambers similar to the one shown below. Both VDA and ISO test profiles have shown to correlate well with natural exposure for vehicle corrosion mechanisms.

Constellium’s University Technology Centre (UTC), located at Brunel University London, is a centre of excellence for the design, development, and prototyping of aluminium extrusions and automotive components such as crash management systems, body structure components, and battery enclosures for electric vehicles.

We are pleased to be helping Speciality Operations (sub-division of the Solvay Group) confirm the durability of adhesive specimens using lap-shear joints against severe corrosive environments using both ASTM G85 Annex 2 and Annex 3 test conditions.

ASTM G85 test conditions are based on set of modifications to the ASTM B117 neutral pH salt spray test. These modifications provide more aggressive conditions (in terms of corrosivity) and are best used for relative performance testing.

AWL were pleased to be chosen again by Ricor Automotive Ltd to confirm corrosion protection conformance according to Nissan paint quality standards NES M0007 and assessment standard NES 5083 for their E-coat process applied to plain and coated steel test panels.

We are pleased to be helping No Climb Products Ltd to establish relative UV weathering resistance of various access pole material formulations. Access extension poles are used to assist testing of fire detectors where sensors are at located at high, or difficult to reach locations.

We are pleased to announce that AWL have finally moved to new premises within the well established Porte Marsh Industrial Estate in Calne, Wiltshire.

Email address remains the same but provisional telephone contact should be made to my mobile for the time being while XLN (regrettably our new broadband and telephone service providers) get their act together (see contact page for full details).

We would like to remind our clients that all samples and other posted items should be sent to our new Calne address and not the old Berkeley House address in Swindon.

Paul Edwards, Director, Accelerated Weathering Laboratory Ltd.

AWL Ltd are pleased to have helped Buster & Punch Ltd confirm durable corrosion performance for their high-end decorative finishes using the CASS corrosion test. What is CASS? CASS (Copper Acid Salt Spray) testing according to ISO 9227:2017 or ASTM B368 is chosen when validating the corrosion performance of decorative coatings such as copper, nickel, and chromium for resistance to pin-holing, loss of adhesion, discolouration and other surface effects. The test is more aggressive than neutral salt spray testing and has also been found suitable for testing anodic and organic coatings on aluminium substrates at AWL Ltd using various corrosion test chambers such as the one shown in the picture below.

AWL are pleased to be helping Strictland Tracks Ltd confirm their chosen corrosion and durability category for their painted product according to ISO 12944. This test protocol is fast becoming the chosen standard for corrosion protection of steel structures using paint systems and other coatings. AWL would like to remind prospective clients that there are 2 test regimes used as routes for qualification and certification. Use test regime 1 if UV degradation is not of major concern (i.e. underbody automotive components). Use test regime 2 if UV degradation and low temperature durability is of major concern (i.e.. any coating exposed outdoors). Test regime 2 has been the most popular choice of our clients since the latest version of ISO12944 parts 6 and 9 were added to our scope of UKAS accredited test protocols.

AWL are pleased to be helping Tennants UK Ltd achieve BSAU145e:2018 qualification and certification for a number of different construction soon to be ready for the market place. AWL would like to remind all prospective clients that 6 sample units (as a minimum) are required to satisfy all clauses of 145e per construction type, and the definition of a sample unit is one front and one rear plate.

We are pleased to have helped Bucher Municipal in Dorking to achieve ISO 12944 qualification to C5M. Bucher Municipal has been manufacturing road sweepers for more than 75 years, and today is one of the world market leaders in street cleansing vehicles, sewer cleaners and winter maintenance equipment. That said, it is not surprising a high corrosion durability paint system was required for their vehicles. Well done to all involved.

AWL are pleased to have helped Metro Plating Ltd confirm the quality of their surface coatings using rotary Taber abrasion wear testing. #testing #taberabrasion #coatingsolutions