We have been asked a few times how a manufacturer can claim that its padlocks will work after 10 years outdoors for example. Some larger brands of padlock who have had the same model in the market for over 10 years and can actually see their locks have coped or failed. However, most will use a special accelerated environmental tank. Padlocks in the tank for a day experience the same corrosion characteristics as a lock outside for 1 year.
This does not take into account wear and tear from opening and closing the lock which will inevitably accelerate corrosion if surfaces are scratched, but the test does give a good indication anyhow. See the video below for a more in-depth explanation film by us at the ABUS Facility in Germany.
