Salt spray and corrosion testing measure how long a coated or plated automotive part resists rust and degradation in a corrosive environment. The most common method is neutral salt spray (ASTM B117), and CASS (ASTM B368) is a more aggressive variant for decorative coatings. What Corrosion Testing Measures Automotive parts face road salt, moisture, and…
Most engineers understand that a single hot soak or cold exposure can reveal whether a material survives a temperature extreme. Fewer understand why a part can pass both of those tests and still fail in the field. The answer is the transition. Temperature cycling testing measures what happens when a material is forced to move…
A Tier 1 supplier reformulated their primer coating midway through a production run. No OEM notification. No requalification test. The change was minor, they said. Six weeks later, the field corrosion reports started. Within three months, they were sitting in a corrective action meeting with the OEM. This is a case study in what salt…
A seat fabric qualifies at initial submission. Color holds at specification. Eighteen months later, warranty claims start coming in for fading on door panel trim from the same material family. The fabric passed the test. The trim didn’t get tested the right way. The difference was the method. ISO 105-B06 Procedure 5 is the xenon…
A coated part can pass UV weathering, look fine in the test lab, and then blister in the field within a season. The UV exposure didn’t cause the blistering. The moisture did. Specifically, the overnight condensation that built up under the coating once the part was installed and the temperature started cycling. Humidity and condensation…
A dashboard can look perfect at room temperature, ship on time, and still crack the first week it sees a real winter. The crack didn’t start in January. It started months earlier, when the part expanded under summer solar load, contracted overnight, and repeated that stress cycle until a tiny defect finally had enough leverage…
Every product tells a story the moment someone touches it — whether it’s a new car dashboard, a smartphone case, or a kitchen appliance panel. That story can change quickly when scratches, scuffs, or surface wear start to appear. For manufacturers, surface durability is about more than aesthetics — it’s about perception, longevity, and brand…
In many industries (automotive, construction, textiles, solar energy, etc.), materials are engaged in a constant, relentless battle with the environment. Among these adversaries, few are as damaging or pervasive as Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. UV exposure testing is crucial in reducing a threat that can significantly impact the long-term longevity and safety of critical components….
The automotive industry thrives on predictable, carefully managed global supply chains. So, when significant trade policy shifts occur—such as the recent roll-out of new tariffs—the entire ecosystem starts to buzz with uncertainty and strategic reassessment. Understanding tariff effects in the automotive industry has become crucial. Whether you’re supplying raw polymers, crafting specialized coatings, or building…
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