Spray Rating Tester

A spray grade tester is used to determine the surface moisture resistance of fabrics, which may or may not have been treated with a water-repellent or hydrophobic finish. The spray grade tester complies with standards such as AATCC 22. ISO 4920. and EN 24920.

Daily Maintenance Procedures

Pre-Startup Inspection

Case Visual Inspection: Check the case for obvious deformation or damage, and the integrity of the anti-corrosion coating. If any coating peeling is found, mark it immediately for recoating.

Sealing Test: Close the chamber door and inspect the sealing strips for aging or cracking. Use a 0.05mm gauge to check the compression of the strips. The compression should be maintained at 1.5-2mm to ensure a good seal and prevent salt spray leakage.

Liquid Level Check: Check the liquid levels in the salt solution tank and saturator water tank. The salt solution should be prepared according to the standard ratio (e.g., 5% sodium chloride solution for the NSS test). The liquid level should not be below the scale mark. If the water level in the tank is insufficient, add deionized water.

 Real-time Monitoring of Adhesive Parameters During Operation: Closely monitor the temperature, humidity, spray pressure, and other parameters on the control panel to ensure that temperature fluctuations are within ±2°C, humidity is maintained above 95%, and spray pressure is stable between 0.07 and 0.17 MPa. Any abnormalities should be recorded and investigated promptly.

Observation of Spray Status: Check through the observation window to ensure uniform spray and a fine mist of salt spray. If large droplets or uneven spray are present, this may indicate nozzle blockage or abnormal spray pressure, requiring equipment shutdown and inspection.

Equipment Operating Sound: Pay attention to any unusual noises during operation, such as compressor noise or excessive fan vibration, to promptly identify potential mechanical failures.

Post-Shutdown Maintenance

Cleaning the Chamber: After the test, wipe the chamber walls, sample rack, and observation window with a soft cloth dipped in neutral detergent to remove any adhering salt spray crystals and prevent residual salt spray from causing equipment corrosion.

Drainage: Drain any accumulated water from the salt solution tank, saturator, and chamber bottom to prevent prolonged stagnation of the solution, which could breed bacteria or cause pipe blockage.

Power Management: During extended downtime, disconnect the equipment's main power supply and cover the housing with a dust cover to prevent dust accumulation.

 Key Points for Spray System Cleaning

Nozzle Cleaning

Disassembly: Shut down the spray system, wait for the pressure to drop to zero, and carefully remove the nozzle using specialized tools to avoid damaging the nozzle aperture.

Clearing Blockages: If the nozzle is clogged due to salt crystals, soak it in deionized water at 50-60°C for 30 minutes. Then, gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush. Do not use metal tools to avoid scratching the nozzle interior.

Unblocking: For stubborn blockages, clean it with an ultrasonic cleaner for 10-15 minutes. After cleaning, blow dry with compressed air (after oil-water separation) and check whether the nozzle aperture has returned to normal.

Spray Pipeline Maintenance

Pipeline Inspection: Regularly inspect the spray pipeline for signs of aging, cracks, and loose joints. Replace or tighten any problems immediately.

Internal Cleaning: Flush the spray pipes with deionized water quarterly. During flushing, increase the water pressure appropriately (0.2-0.3 MPa) for 5-10 minutes to remove salt deposits within the pipes.

Filter Replacement: Check the filter at the front end of the spray system. If the filter element is clogged or severely contaminated, replace it promptly. It is generally recommended to replace it every 3-6 months.

Saturator Maintenance

Scale Treatment: The inner walls and heating tubes of the saturator are prone to scale. Once a month, open the saturator cover and soak them in a citric acid solution (5%-10%) for 1-2 hours. Wipe with a soft cloth and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Water Level Control: Ensure the saturator water level sensor is functioning properly to prevent low water levels from causing the heating tubes to dry out and affect saturator performance.

 Maintenance Cycle and Recordkeeping

Develop a sound maintenance schedule, such as daily pre-startup inspections and in-service monitoring, weekly post-shutdown cleanings, monthly deep cleanings of the spray system, and quarterly filter replacements. At the same time, establish detailed maintenance records, including maintenance time, content, replacement parts and equipment operating status, etc., to facilitate tracing and analyzing equipment status, discover potential problems in advance, and ensure that the salt spray test chamber is always in working condition.