SAE J3179_202209

This test procedure describes the corrosion test of brazed aluminum condensers as well as the subsequent assessment of the tested components and the applicable assessment criteria. The purpose of this standard is to provide a common methodology that all suppliers of aluminum-brazed MAC condensers and OEMs can utilize to assess the robustness of MAC condensers derived from real-life corrosive climate conditions. Included in this standard are general corrosion test procedures utilized for assessing aluminum-brazed MAC condensers. This standard is valid for both horizontal and vertical tubes for aluminum-brazed MAC condensers and outside heat exchangers. These test procedures do not necessarily replicate the failure morphology found in the field for a MAC condenser (for cyclic condenser corrosion test). MAC condensers are exposed from moderate to severe corrosives from the field. These corrosives cover all the pH range, from exhaust gases (acid media) to car cleaning products (alkaline media), including deicing salts, other pollutions from the vehicle, etc. Two tests are proposed to evaluate the corrosion resistance of a condenser: The first test represents the pollution in an acid media with copper, sodium chloride and acetic acid as pollutants and with a temperature and humidity cycle. This test is called cyclic condenser corrosion test (CCCT). The second test represents the pollution in a neutral media including graphite and sodium chloride with another temperature and humidity cycle. This test is called DeCa test. Both tests come from the work of a reliability test development for condensers. Multiple test configurations have been performed in order to reproduce as close as possible the field conditions in which the condenser is submitted. In these configurations, the most efficient test was the one that includes carbon as pollutant. Corrosion profiles were well reproduced, corrosion depths were consistent with the field on every type of condenser.