PURPOSE The salt spray test is performed for the purpose of determining the adequacy of protective coatings or finishes@ and has been widely used to evaluate the resistance of metals to corrosion in marine service or in exposed shore.locations. This test has proved to be useful as a tool of the engineer to provide practical qualitative check on the application of metallic and other finishes to metallic surfaces. The salt spray test is an accelerated corrosion test and is a compromise since the test conditioning bears relation to the natural environment only to the extent possible within the defined test procedure. This test should not be considered as a simulated test of a natural or field servicecondition without full consideration of its limitations.