To investigate corrosive gases in computer installation areas, we deve
loped an original method called the ''Metal piece test kit''. The test
kit, which consists of five metal strips-copper, silver, aluminum, ir
on and iron-nickel alloy-is mounted on an acrylic box that is a little
smaller than a cigarette box. In this method, this kit is placed in v
arious environments for 1 month. The five metals react with gases and
form corrosive products if the environment is contaminated by corrosiv
e gases such as SO2, H2S, HCl/NaCl and H2O as humidity. By comparing t
he X-ray reflecting intensities of oxygen, sulfur, and chlorine contai
ned in the corrosive products by using an X-ray fluorescence, it is ab
le to predict the environment, determine what kinds of corrosive gases
exist and judge if the environment is suited for installation of comp
uters. By using this original method in various computer installation
environments, we can adopt a suitable countermeasure to prevent system
failure by corrosive gases in the computer installation environment.