ASSESSMENT OF SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTS BY METAL PIECE TEST KITS

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.