Citrotek ApS is proud to announce the introducing of the world's first stand-alone HACT cabinet; we call it the "High Speed Corroder" or just HSC 512.
Until now it has only been possible to get HACT executed at the Danish test institute DELTA, but based on the HACT test profile has Citrotek ApS in collaboration with the engineering company Kapacitet A/S, developed the world's first self-contained HACT chamber.
You've no doubt heard of HALT, but have you heard of HACT?
HALT is an acronym for "Highly Accelerated Life Test" and a methodology in which a test specimen is subjected to a gradually increasing stress factors until its destruction. Actually, calling it a "Life Test" is probably a bit of a exaggeration, HALT is rather a step-stress test or a robustness test.
During the last 20-30 years, the HALT proved to be an exceptionally rapid and efficient method to discover weaknesses in a construction, both electrical and mechanical. Weaknesses are identified within hours, problems that otherwise would be weeks, months, even years to prove and that will lead to increased service and warranty costs.
The same basic idea lies in HACT, which is short for "Highly Accelerated Corrosion Testing". The methodology was developed in 2008 by the Danish company DELTA in Hørsholm (An independent test institute) and until now only offered as a service.
The HACT method has also proven to be very efficient and in many cases, induce rust and corrosion of a structure in less than a week. Corrosion otherwise there would be maybe 5 years to show in off-shore locations or maybe entire 10 years in a normal outdoor environment. If you want to know more about the HACT method as a concept, I suggest that you do a simple Google search on "HACT corrosion test" or visiting Delta's website.
The real world?
In fact, it is not as interesting when the degradation of a subject takes place by the correct application in the authentic environment. Therefore, HACT is in no way trying not to imitate the "real world", but focuses exclusively on maximum load. The most important is, of course, to get the exposure or the weaknesses in the structure in the shortest possible time so that they show by the producer and not by the customer or end user.
A person who builds an organization is a "Organizer". Ergo, something which creates corrosion, is a "Corroder".
Citrotek ApS is proud to announce the introducing of the world's first stand-alone HACT cabinet; we call it the "High Speed Corroder" or just HSC 512. Until now it has only been possible to get HACT executed at DELTA, but based on the HACT test profile has Citrotek ApS in collaboration with the engineering firm Kapacitet A/S, developed the world's first HACT chamber. HSC 512, which offers users the ability to move HACT methodology home in the company's own facilities. The idea is that our customers should be able to pre-test and refine their products in-house before they have the final salt spray test executed by an independent test institute. Thus, more prepared and much more efficiently.
The difference is...
Corrosion and salt spray tests have been known for years, so what's the difference between the HACT and a more traditional corrosion test? The primary difference is the high temperature and air circulation. In the traditional salt spray test, the temperature is usually not higher than +35-40°C, and often the tests are performed just in ambient temperature. In the HSC 512 cabinet the temperature is about the double, that is at least +70°C. Furthermore, the air in a common salt spray cabinet is often more or less standing still. In the HSC 512 chamber the air is circulated to ensure the maximum oxidation of the surfaces, thereby accelerating the degradation of the device under test significantly.
A garden hose clamp; one not tested and one after only 10 days HACT in the High Speed Corroder.
Is HACT "the new black" ...?
It is not the intention that HACT and the HSC 512 cabinet can or should replace more traditional corrosion and salt spray tests. Firstly, there is no internationally recognized HACT profile or standard - the value lies mostly in the ability to compare the results from several run of identical tests in which the subject has been improved between each HACT. This offers the developer the opportunity, to see the result of the various changes in the product or manufacturing process in record time. HACT is actually just one more tool in the "toolbox" to ensure the highest possible quality and reduce the risk of unpleasant surprises once the end-product is launched.
HSC 512 High Speed Corroder offers the possibility for the industry, to evaluate several different alternatives which can be tested against each other. The developers have an optimal and qualified basis for selecting the best solution offering the highest robustness. Several companies have already had excellent result by running there products though HACT; among them Lodam A/S.
In the links to the right, you can read more about their experiences with HACT. Also outside Denmark several companies have discovered the HACT technique, e.g. the Norwegian company Bartec Technor AS which has experienced great results, according to an article in the Danish Maritime Magazine.