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    Kesternich Test

    Kester­n­ich Test

    The Kesternich test was developed in 1951 by Wilhelm Kesternich to simulate the damaging effects and the corrosive influence of acid rain.

    How does the Kesternich test work? The parts to be tested are placed in a 79 gallon (300 liter) chamber. Then, depending on the requirements, they are exposed to warm and humid air with a certain proportion of sulphur dioxide (AHT 1.0 S with 0.33 % volume SO2 or AHT 2.0 S with 0.67 % volume SO2). The test is carried out in cycles of 24 hours each and is divided into two sections:

     

    Test section 18 hours warm-up to 104°F ±37°F (40°C ±3°C)relative humidity 100 %
    Test section 216 hours cooling to 64°F to 82°F (18 to 28°C)relative humidity max. 75 %

    The test is completed when the prescribed cycle is reached. With the help of the standardized test, it is possible to determine how dense the surface of the test piece is or what corrosion resistance it exhibits. Today, the test belongs to the group of alternating climate tests and is used, for example, in mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, the electrical industry and the automotive sector for testing both coatings and base materials. The test method is defined and set in detail by the standard "DIN 50018 - Testing in an alternating condensation water climate with an atmosphere containing sulphur dioxide".