Understanding MIL-STD-810 is essential for proper developmental evaluation of the environmental effects on equipment.  CVG Strategy has been helping our customers use this valuable standard to create test programs for over a decade.  In this time we have seen a number of commonly held misconceptions about the standard and how to use it.  What is

MIL-STD-810H change 1 Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests was released by the Department of Defense (DoD) on May of 2022.  Although changes in the standard were few, Method 509 Salt Fog has been entirely rewritten.  Method 509.8 is now titled Salt Fog / Corrosive Environments and is comprised of three procedures. Procedures for Salt Fog

Fungus MIL-STD-810 Method 508 evaluation is employed to assess a product’s susceptibility to support fungal growth. This test method is an important part of a testing program because fungus is present in a large number of environments and has numerous detrimental effects. Effects of Fungus  Direct and indirect attacks can occur to products of natural

Humidity MIL-STD-810 Method 507 is used to evaluate the ability of products to resist the effects of exposure to warm humid climates.  This evaluation can be performed in a test facility using environmental chambers where costs or product scheduling is a consideration.  The method provides test cycles for natural or induced exposures representative of a

Rain, MIL-STD-810, Method 506 is used to evaluate materiel likely to be exposed to rain, water spray, or dripping water during storage, transit, or operation.  It can  also be used to evaluate seals, enclosures, and covers to prevent ingress of water, access effectiveness of water removal systems, and evaluate the physical deterioration of materials due

Solar Radiation (Sunshine) MIL-STD-810 Method 505 is used to evaluate thermal and actinic effects on equipment caused by exposure to the sun.  This testing is performed in specially designed environmental chambers.  This test methodology can be tailored to simulate spectral exposures at high altitudes where increased levels of Ultraviolet (UV) light are present.  This method

Contamination by Fluids, MIL-STD-810 Method 504 evaluates equipment’s ability to withstand exposure to various chemical agents that equipment may come in temporary contact during its life cycle.  These chemicals include oils, insecticides, coolants, disinfectants, fire extinguishants, de-icing and anti-freeze fluids, oils,  solvents and cleaning fluids. Chemicals can have a wide number of effects on the

MIL-STD-810 Low Temperature testing (Method 502) is used to evaluate the effects of low temperature on equipment.  This laboratory test method is conducted in a test chamber and can be tailored to replicate the anticipated thermal profiles during storage, transit, and operation.  This test is intended for evaluating the effects of low temperature on equipment

MIL-STD-810 High Temperature testing (Method 501) is used to evaluate the effects of high temperature on equipment.  This laboratory test method is conducted in a chamber and can be tailored to replicate the anticipated thermal profiles during storage, transit, and operation.  This test is intended for evaluating short term effects of heat on equipment and

MIL-STD-810 Low Pressure (Altitude) testing is performed to evaluate equipment’s ability withstand exposures to low pressures.  These pressures may occur while the equipment is in storage, logistic transport, tactical transport, or actual operation.  This method (500.6) is one of twenty-nine laboratory environmental tests in the standard. Low Pressure (Altitude) Procedures The Low Pressure method is

Sand and Dust MIL-STD-810, Method 510 testing is used to evaluate equipment’s ability to withstand exposure to blowing sand and dust.  This test is to be performed in environmental chambers and replicates natural exposures expected in hot-dry regions of the world. The standard defines dust as particles with a diameter less than 150 μm.  Sand

Mechanical Vibrations of Shipboard Equipment, MIL-STD-810, Method 528 is performed to meet U.S. Navy requirements for environmental and internally excited vibration of equipment designed for installation aboard navy ships.  These vibration tests were derived from MIL-STD-167 and was added along with lessons learned to MIL-STD-810 in Revision G. As with other testing for Naval requirements,

Rail Impact MIL-STD-810 Method 526 replicates railcar impact conditions to evaluate tie down systems and tie down procedures used in the transport of equipment.  This test is not a laboratory test but is performed actual rail cars involved in the impacts during coupling.  It normally involves car impact testing at speeds under 8 mph (12.9

Freeze-Thaw MIL-STD-810 Method 524 is used to evaluate equipment’s ability to withstand transitions in temperatures through the freeze point in the midst of ambient temperatures and when transitioned from environments of varying temperatures.  Effects of exposures to these environmental conditions include: binding or distortion of parts, failure of seals, adhesives, and materials, and fogging of

Vibro-Acoustic/Temperature MIL-STD-810 Method 523.4 testing is performed to evaluate the effects of acoustic noise, vibration, and temperature on aircraft externally carried stores during flight.  Aircraft stores refer to devices that are mounted on aircraft suspension and release equipment such as missiles, rockets, or bombs. This MIL-STD-810 testing method can be used to: Reveal and correct

Ballistic Shock MIL-STD-810 Method 522 evaluates equipment designed for armored combat vehicles’ ability to withstand the shock associated with non-perforating large caliber munition impact or blast.  This testing can be used to provide a degree of confidence in the the equipment’s ability to function after such a shock, or be used to evaluate shock mitigation