We recently received the results of an independent lab study from FUJI® comparing the corrosion properties of the new CC treated frames versus five of the most recognized competitors. Fuji® has usually done their testing in-house since they generally compare their products against a generic metal or ceramic. The CC treatment has changed all that. To really show the advantages of CC, Fuji® felt it was important to test and compare CC against other competitors.
Fuji® has been very specific in letting us know how we could present this information. We will not use brand names or show images of the various corrosion levels of tested products. The test was conducted by a highly respected industrial testing firm that works mostly in the automotive industry and offers a variety of tests on many different materials. Corrosion testing is common in the automotive industry and all tests were CASS tests performed according to JIS Z2371 (2015) Japanese Industrial Standards.
Testing Temperature: 50±2 C
Spray conditions(1 cycle): Salt spray for 8hrs followed by a 16hr drying period.
Duration of testing: 20 cycles. Each cycle was equivalent to 6 months of salt spray in a coastal environment.
Fuji tested Matte Silver (CC) and Dark Grey (BC) Fuji guides against competitive guides of very similar design. One manufacturer offered both matte silver and matte gunsmoke - both of which were tested. Other brands tested were 304 and 316 stainless in standard (shiny) finish. Total 6 guides plus 2 Fuji® guides. All guides were “off the shelf”.
After 3 cycles (the equivalent of 18 months in saltwater coastal conditions) 5 of the 6 competitive guides had obvious signs of corrosion on the ring frame as well as the feet. Most were showing orange oxidation while one showed green “chalking” on both the foot and ring frame. The competitor faring best showed a mottled darkening along the ring frame and on the frame legs but had not shown any classic corrosion. Both Fuji products remained corrosion free and showed no sign of discoloration.
By 20 cycles (the equivalent of 10 years in a salty environment!) all 6 guides showed significant corrosion, with some rings appearing to be near failure and others streaming orange stains under the thread (white was used, which became clear when coated for observation) and onto the white, non-reactive PVC tubing they were wrapped on. Green pitting corrosion had traveled from the ring frame down both legs and onto the foot of others. Both Fuji® CC and BC treated guides showed NO SIGN of any type of corrosion.
Per Fuji’s request we can’t show you the “other” guides but if you would like to see the CC and BC guides used in the test..here they are after 10 (equivalent) years without a single freshwater rinse.
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