The AS 60068 series of Standards includes a series of environmental testing procedures, information on the severity of tests and information on atmospheric conditions for measurement and testing. Although primarily intended for electrotechnical products, many of the procedures are equally applicable to other industrial products.

This test: is intended to provide accelerated means to assess the corrosive effects of atmospheres polluted with sulphur dioxide on contacts and connections; is particularly suitable for giving information on a comparative basis; is not suitable as a general corrosion test, i.e. it may not predict the behaviour of contacts and connections in industrial atmospheres. NOTE In view of the limited information to be obtained from accelerated corrosion tests, particular attention should be paid to the guidance on this test given in IEC 60068-2-49. Reference should also be made to IEC 60355. The object of this test is: a) to determine the influence of atmospheres containing sulphur dioxide on the contact properties of precious metal or precious metal-covered contacts and connections, excluding contacts consisting of silver and some of its alloys; b) to check solderless connections with regard to their tightness or effectiveness. In all tests, the major criterion of performance will be the change in contact resistance caused by exposure to the sulphur dioxide test atmosphere.

First published as AS 60068.2.42-2004.
Reconfirmed 2018. First published as AS 60068.2.42-2004.