Shock Testing

Shock testing of products and materials determines to what degree the items can physically and functionally withstand a relatively infrequent, short time, moderately high level force impulse that would be encountered in handling, transportation, and service environments. From electrical components to black boxes, antennas to hydraulic components, material samples to complete structures, NTS can tailor shock testing to virtually all your requirements.

In the last 40 years of shock testing, NTS has successfully tested all types of objects at extreme temperatures, shock when induced by gunfire, in simulated catapult launch/arrested landing situations, per Mil-Std-331, and in a variety of special cases. Multi-channel, wideband data acquisition systems produce documentation, wave shapes, and spectrum presentations. Exotic profiles are our specialty. NTS performs pyro-shock, mechanical shock, transportation, and shipboard shock to the MIL-STD-810 and MIL-S-901. Our shock testing capabilities includes handling drop testing, drop towers able to deliver peak acceleration in excess of 20,000g (196,000 m/s²), free-fall and variable force test techniques that produce shocks up to 15,000g (147,000 m/s²). From air-gun generated shock, to drop tests of up to 80 ft (24m), to hydroshock, pyrotechnic, ordnance-induced, transportation, or bench handling, NTS can provide it all.

Pyro Shock Mil-Std-810

Pyrotechnic shocks are usually detailed in terms of a Shock Response Spectra (SRS) and are expressed in terms of acceleration (g or m/s²) and natural frequency (fn). NTS can produce true pyrotechnic shock using shaped charges or primer cord generating accelerations to 100,000g (980,000 m/s²), and frequencies of 100 Hz to 10,000 Hz. Electrodynamic exciters used for pyroshock simulation can accept loads of up to 1000 lbs. and produce peak shock spectra up to 4000g. Shock spectra can be controlled with � octave equalization.

Examples of components that might experience this shock environment include devices used in satellites and launch vehicles, as stage separation and satellite ejection often involve pyrotechnic events (e.g., explosive bolts). A second group of components requiring pyroshock testing may be those mounted in close proximity to the event or mounted on the skin of structures, such as brackets, sensors, cameras and other equipment.

With high-energy test events such as pyroshock, NTS is able to advise our clients of the best sequencing with other testing (such as vibration, temperature cycling, etc.). We also welcome client witnessing their tests, and we carefully monitor the performance of accelerometers and other instrumentation for accurate one-time data download.

Mechanical Mil-Std-810

Mechanical shocks are generally limited to a frequency range of up to 10,000 Hz and time duration of not more than 1.0 second. This type of testing stresses materials including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and electronic parts to assess the physical integrity, continuity, and functionality of the material. NTS has extensive capabilities in tailoring mechanically induced shock to your particular situation (e.g., steel to steel, steel to lead, low g's with moderate duration, high speed with long duration and � sine wave form, jolt and tumble, classical shock, drop towers delivering to 20,000g (196,000 m/s²) and a unique hammer device producing a metal to metal shock on 3-axis simultaneously).

Shipboard, MIL-S-901 Testing

Equipment on naval surface ships and submarines experiences many different types of shock. Aircraft launch mechanisms, steam catapults, tailhook arresting cables, and missile launchers generate various types of shocks, as do many combat situations, such as a direct hit by enemy ordnance. Shipboard testing looks at Grade A items (essential to the safety and continued combat capability of the ship) and Grade B items (which could become hazard to personnel or the ship as a whole). Type A through Type C classifications of equipment divides shipboard equipment into systems and subsystems, such as a diesel generator versus an electric motor of the diesel generator. Special shock test machines are required to perform lightweight and medium weight shock tests per Mil-S-901 tests, while heavyweight shock tests require barge testing with ordnance.

NTS tests all Grades A through B, Type A through Type C equipment. We perform lightweight shock testing in-house, and medium weight shock test, as well as heavyweight shock testing, at partner facilities.

Whether you test missiles, generators, radio equipment, gauges, storage vessels or any other shipboard system or component, NTS will provide you with a comprehensive, Mil-S-901 compliant shock test program that will work with your schedule.

Transportation/handling MIL-STD-810

NTS can also assess the susceptibility of test item and its packaging to damage from shock during transportation, packaging or bench handling, loading and unloading, maintenance handling, and storage. NTS test resources and equipment feature small (6 ft / 1.8m) to large (40 ft / 12m) drop towers, shakers capable of generating up to 45,000 g (441,000m/s²), a multi-acre ordnance test site, air gun, and various specialized test set-ups, such as a rail mounted drop jig to test a bomb casing hitting ground from low height at speed. Specific tests include loose cargo test, crash hazard, rail impact, transit drop, and fragility.

Contact NTS today to find out how to get your product tested!

Heavyweight Shock	Thermal Shock
Inclination Shock	Drop shock

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