Corrosion of Exterior Automotive Trim

In 1959 an extensive corrosion program, devoted to materials used for exterior trim, was initiated by Ford Motor Co. Samples representing a wide variety of material and processing variables were exposed in service during the winter months on special racks mounted below and behind the front bumper of test cars. Over 28,000 specimens have been evaluated in this and other tests in the three years since the program was initiated. The significant results from service are discussed for anodized aluminum, stainless steel, electroplated steel, and nonferrous metals.