JAIC 1990, Volume 29, Number 2, Article 8 (pp. 207 to 220)
MEASURING THE RATE OF ATMOSPHERIC CORROSION IN MICROCLIMATES
HARALD BERNDT
ABSTRACT—A simple method for testing corrosiveness of atmospheres containing organic acids is presented. Testing is done by exposing lead coupons to the environment of interest at 50�C and 80% RH. Following the weight gain of lead test coupons continuously (e.g., by suspending them from an automatic balance in the test environment) provides a simple and convenient method of evaluating atmospheric corrosiveness. The ratio of cation mass to anion mass in the salt formed due to corrosion over various wood products was the same under all test conditions. The magnitude of this constant ratio suggests that basic lead carbonate (2PbCO3Pb(OH)2) is the principal corrosion product.