Extreme Temperature Testing

Temperature Storage Testing

Polymer materials, electronic, mechanical and structural components as well as multi-material systems experience adverse climatic conditions during planned or unintentional storage. To determine the effects of extreme temperatures on test items, NTS provides high and low temperature storage testing which can range as low as -523°F (-273°C) and as high as 1500°F (+815°C).

Most storage temperature testing is performed at maximum temp conditions, typically at a high of +185°F (+85°C) to a low of -40°F (-40°C), each temperature duration rate being between 2,000 hours and 5,000 hour.

For standard temperature storage testing, the test unit is in a non-operating condition and the test temperatures exceeds those in which the product is expected to operate or be stored in. At the conclusion of each test, lab personnel determine if any degenerative effects developed from storage at those temperatures. The simulated environment may cause surface cracking, paint degeneration, moisture condensation, change in lubricant properties, seal deterioration, loss of stability in electronic circuits, outgassing, change in resistor values, corrosion, and shortened life expectancy. Temperature storage testing may be performed in the product's storage container, or without any protection at all.

Several variants of storage temperature testing include the resiliency of a component or material to rapidly changing temperatures, such as those represented by a removal from a warm warehouse to a cold transport vehicle or vice versa. Such thermal shock tests will have a rapid ramp rate (86°F/30°C per minute) and NTS can perform either air-to-air or liquid-to-liquid shock tests.

Extreme Temperature Testing

Extreme temperature testing determines at which point a unit stops functioning properly. The exposure can be a step stress profile (prolonged exposure to a suspect temperature) a fast ramp up followed by a soak period, and/or a slow increase to temperature(s) where a failure is expected.

We are capable of transition rates of 100°C per minute, 70 data channels or more and temperatures of -273°C to +815°C. Chamber sizes range from one cubic foot to large walk in chambers such as 15' x 25' x 25' and cooling is through nitrogen injection, or, should you need to operate the equipment during testing, through mechanical means. NTS can combine extreme temperature with humidity, sand and dust, UV exposure, altitude or mechanical disturbances to simulate the exact environment your device will experience during storage.

NTS will test to Telcordia Specs, MIL-STD- 883, Method 1010, MIL-STD-810E, method 507.3, RTCA DO-160D, section 6, IEC 68-2-2, IEC 68-2-3, IEC 68-2-30 and IEC 68-2-38 and many other specifications.

Extreme Temperature Storage Testing applies to any item that must perform well after a period of exposure to hostile environment; items we have tested are microchips, optical components, ballistic armor, paint and coatings, enclosure and packaging materials (epoxy and others), space exploration hardware, memory storage materials, automotive parts and defense systems.

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