⚡ Test Ka: assessment of the corrosion resistance of electrotechnical components, equipment and materials in salt mist — sodium chloride solution 50 g/l ± 5 g/l (water ≤ 20 µS/cm), pH of the collected solution 6,5–7,2, chamber at 35 °C ± 2 K, average collection rate 1,5 ml/h ± 0,5 ml/h per 80 cm² in at least two collecting devices, atomizing pressure 70–170 kPa, specimens at 20° ± 5° from the vertical, duration according to the product specification, PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11

Electronics and EMC PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN catalogue card of PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11:2021-11 (English version; scope in Polish on the card), in full (our translation): “This part of IEC 60068-2 specifies a test method for assessing the corrosion resistance of materials in a salt mist environment. It is applicable to verifying whether the quality of a metallic material, with or without corrosion protection, is maintained in salt mist. This test is useful for evaluating the quality and uniformity of coatings applied to protect metals against corrosion. It is particularly useful for detecting discontinuities, such as pores and other defects, in certain metallic, organic, anodic oxide or conversion coatings.” We read the text of the standard in the preview of IEC 60068-2-11:2021 from the cover to 11.3 with its note (page 10); we do not have the rest of Clause 11, the following clauses or Annexes A (examples of test apparatus) and B (evaluation of chamber corrosivity).

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF IEC 60068-2-11:2021 (foreword, introduction, Clauses 1–11.3). The standard was prepared by IEC TC 104 (environmental conditions, classification and methods of test); the fourth edition replaces the third of 1981 after technical revision. Changes from the 1981 edition: modified preparation of the salt solution, modified solution temperature for pH measurement, added atomizing pressure and saturation tower water temperature (Table 1), modified test report, added examples of test apparatus (Annex A), a method for evaluating apparatus corrosivity (Annex B) and a bibliography. Introduction: the test compares the resistance of electrotechnical equipment to deterioration from salt mist and evaluates the quality and uniformity of protective coatings; the relationship with long-term exposure to salt-laden atmospheres cannot be readily determined, so the test cannot reliably quantify long-term ageing, but — as it commonly accelerates deterioration — it is useful for comparisons. Scope (1): as on the card; reference (2): IEC 60068-1; no definitions (3). General (4): warning about hazardous materials and operations; for equipment and components Test Kb (IEC 60068-2-52 — separate entry) gives more realistic conditions and assessment of individual items; if the specification requires Ka for individual specimens for qualification, they are tested as part of the assembly with protective devices as in use; “salt mist” is also called “salt spray”; the specimen is typically not energized. Solution (5): sodium chloride in distilled or deionized water with conductivity not higher than 20 µS/cm at 25 °C ± 2 K, concentration 50 g/l ± 5 g/l, also in the collected solution (specific gravity 1,029–1,036 at 25 °C); in the salt, copper, nickel and lead together not more than 0,005 % by mass, sodium iodide not more than 0,1 %, total impurities not more than 0,5 % (dry salt); anti-caking agents can act as corrosion inhibitors or accelerators (note: Ph. Eur/USP, JIS, ACS grades). pH of the collected solution 6,5–7,2 at 25 °C ± 2 K, measured electrometrically with electrodes suitable for weakly buffered NaCl solutions, adjusted with hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate (warnings for HCl and NaOH); pH changes due to CO₂ loss can be reduced by heating the solution above 35 °C before placing it in the apparatus or by using freshly boiled water; pH is measured for each new batch of solution. The solution is filtered if necessary; sprayed solution is NOT re-used. Apparatus (6): chamber of materials not influencing the corrosivity of the mist; the solution is not sprayed directly onto the specimens but spreads through the chamber and falls naturally; drops from upper parts do not fall onto specimens; vent protected from strong air currents; temperature measured at least 100 mm from walls and radiant heat sources; atomizers producing a finely divided, wet, dense mist; compressed air free of oil and dust, humidified and warmed, atomizing overpressure 70–170 kPa (typically 98 kPa ± 10 kPa); humidification water ≤ 20 µS/cm; Table 1 — hot water temperature in the saturation tower: 70 kPa — 45 °C, 84 — 46, 98 — 48, 112 — 49, 126 — 50, 140 — 52, 160 — 53, 170 kPa — 54 °C; at least two collecting devices — funnels of 100 mm ± 2 mm diameter (approx. 80 cm²) of inert material; apparatus corrosivity verified at regular intervals according to Annex B. Specimens (7–10): number, type, shape and dimensions according to the specification (otherwise — agreement between parties); visual examination and, if necessary, electrical and mechanical checks before the test (photographs or a retained untested sample for comparison); cleaning according to the specification, without secondary corrosion and without touching by hand; normal operating position according to the specification; the angle is very important — unless otherwise specified, 20° ± 5° from the vertical, area of primary interest facing up (assemblies and enclosures — as in normal use); no contact with the chamber, no dripping from upper levels onto lower ones, repositioning at intervals recommended; supports of inert non-metallic material, suspension with synthetic fibre or cotton thread. Conditions (11, Table 2): temperature 35 °C ± 2 K; average collection rate on a horizontal area of 80 cm² 1,5 ml/h ± 0,5 ml/h; NaCl in collected solution 50 g/l ± 5 g/l; pH of collected solution 6,5–7,2 — tolerances are allowable fluctuations around the set point at equilibrium, not an allowable shift of the set point. Before the test a trial run of at least 24 h in a chamber filled similarly as in the test (not necessary if the time between tests is five days or less and the parties so agree); measurements immediately after the trial run, on solution not subjected to significant evaporation; at least two collecting devices in the specimen zone — one close to a spray inlet, one remote — unshielded, collecting only mist — each 1,5 ml/h ± 0,5 ml/h averaged over at least 24 h; daily monitoring during the test recommended.

STATUS (PKN catalogue cards as of 02.10.2026). The card of PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11:2021-11 (English version, published 15-11-2021, 26 pages, price group M) has no “Withdrawn” header: Electrotechnical Sector, KT 65 Environmental Testing of Electrical Products, ICS 19.040, “Introduces: EN IEC 60068-2-11:2021 [IDT], IEC 60068-2-11:2021 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN 60068-2-11:2002 – English version”. The card of PN-EN 60068-2-11:2002 (it introduced EN 60068-2-11:1999 and IEC 60068-2-11:1981) has the “Withdrawn” header — withdrawal date 15-11-2021, “Replaced by: PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11:2021-11”. IEC catalogue (read 02.10.2026): IEC 60068-2-11:2021, edition 4.0 of 2021-03-03, stability date 2027.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data up to 17.09.2026, read 02.10.2026). The number 60068-2-11 appears in 7 records at 7 laboratories (Polish records; the copy also holds 1 Czech record): AB 044, AB 074, AB 089, AB 128, AB 904, AB 1552, AB 1690. In the current scopes on the PCA website (read 02.10.2026, issues from 07.01.2026 to 02.09.2026): “PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11:2021-11” is given by AB 044, AB 074, AB 089, AB 1552 and AB 1690; AB 128 — “PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11, Test Ka” without a year; AB 904 — “PN-EN 60068-2-11” without a year, i.e. the designation of the edition withdrawn in 2021; AB 044 lists in the same entry also the 2002, 1999 and 1981 editions. The “Laboratories” tab searches for entries STARTING WITH “PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11” and shows 6 laboratories; AB 904 has only the entry “PN-EN 60068-2-11” in the database, so it does not appear in this tab — checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 02.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (PCA entries). “Test Ka — salt mist” next to “Test Kb — cyclic salt mist” (IEC 60068-2-52), in a chamber up to (0,6 × 0,8 × 1,8) m (AB 044); “Resistance to corrosion in a salt mist atmosphere” next to PN-EN 60068-2-52 (AB 074); electrical and semiconductor products — “Resistance to salt fog” next to PN-EN 2591-307 and PN-EN 60749-13 (AB 089); “Resistance to salt mist, Test Ka” next to PN-EN 2591-307 excluding 5.4 (AB 1552); terminal blocks — “Salt mist test” next to PN-EN 60068-1 and PN-EN ISO 9227 (AB 1690); organic and inorganic coatings, metal products (flexible scope) — “Corrosion resistance to salt spray” in an entry with PN-EN ISO 9227, ASTM B117, DIN 50021, FIAT 50180 and NO-06-A107 (AB 128); finished products, components, metals, alloys and their coatings — “Corrosion resistance” next to PN-EN ISO 9227 (AB 904).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Solution: the standard requires water with conductivity not higher than 20 µS/cm, forbids re-use of sprayed solution, and says of anti-caking agents in the salt that they can inhibit or accelerate corrosion; the pH requirement (6,5–7,2) applies to the solution COLLECTED in the chamber, not only to the solution in the reservoir. Chamber: the set points are the values of Table 2 — the stated tolerances are allowable fluctuations around the set point, not an allowable shift of the set point itself; the collection rate of 1,5 ml/h ± 0,5 ml/h is checked in a chamber filled similarly as in the test (an empty one performs differently), in collectors close to and remote from the spray inlet, on solution not evaporated. Specimens: the standard calls the angle of exposure “very important” — unless otherwise agreed 20° ± 5° from the vertical; solution may not drip from upper specimens onto lower ones, and supports and suspensions must be non-metallic. Interpretation: the standard states that the test cannot be used for quantitative assessment of long-term ageing — it serves comparisons and coating evaluation; for equipment it indicates the cyclic Test Kb as more realistic. Edition: AB 904 cites the designation of the 2002 edition, withdrawn by PKN in 2021; the 2021 edition changed, among other things, the preparation of the solution and the temperature of pH measurement.

WHAT WE DO NOT STATE. We do not have the part of Clause 11 after 11.3, the clauses on duration, final measurements, information to be given in the specification and test report, or Annexes A and B — we therefore give no recommended exposure durations, no rinsing and drying procedure after the test and no method for evaluating chamber corrosivity.

Method principle

Specimens placed at 20° ± 5° from the vertical are exposed in a chamber in which an atomized NaCl solution of 50 g/l (pH 6,5–7,2) falls on them as a mist at 35 °C ± 2 K with an average collection rate of 1,5 ml/h per 80 cm²; after the time given in the specification, changes in appearance and properties are assessed.

Applications

• Electrical and electronic products, semiconductor products, terminal blocks — 7 laboratories in PCA scopes
• Evaluation of the quality and uniformity of protective coatings on metals (metallic, organic, anodic, conversion)
• Comparison of the salt mist resistance of products of similar construction (qualification tests according to the specification)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11:2021-11 (wersja angielska; EN IEC 60068-2-11:2021 IDT, IEC 60068-2-11:2021 IDT)

Title (PL)

Badania środowiskowe — Część 2-11: Próby — Próba Ka: Mgła solna

Title (EN)

Environmental testing — Part 2-11: Tests — Test Ka: Salt mist

Step-by-step procedure

1. Solution

   NaCl 50 g/l ± 5 g/l in water ≤ 20 µS/cm; pH such that the collected solution is 6,5–7,2 at 25 °C; filter if necessary. PN-EN IEC 60068-2-11:2021-11 current (PKN cards as of 02.10.2026).

2. Chamber check

   Trial run ≥ 24 h in a chamber filled similarly as in the test; in ≥ 2 collectors 1,5 ml/h ± 0,5 ml/h, NaCl 50 g/l ± 5 g/l, pH 6,5–7,2; then stop spraying and load the specimens.

3. Specimens

   Visual examination and initial measurements according to the specification; cleaning without touching by hand; arrangement at 20° ± 5° from the vertical, no contact with the chamber and no dripping onto other specimens, on non-metallic supports.

4. Exposure

   35 °C ± 2 K for the duration given in the product specification; daily checking of the collection rate and periodic repositioning of specimens recommended.

5. Assessment

   Final measurements and assessment according to the product specification (clauses outside the part we read).

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• The standard warns of hazardous materials, operations and equipment (4); hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions — toxic and corrosive, only for skilled personnel (5.2)
• TECHNICAL NOTE: comparative test — not for quantitative assessment of long-term ageing; for equipment the cyclic Test Kb (IEC 60068-2-52) is more realistic

Frequently asked questions