Performs mechanical design verification, mechanical testing and environmental testing on electronic components according to MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-202 and MIL-STD-883 for aerospace and military applications. MIL-STD 883 applies to microelectronic circuits, MIL-STD 202 to electronic and electrical components. Both standards test environmental, mechanical and electrical performance. MIL-STD 810 tests the effect of environmental variables on equipment.

Essentially all material will experience vibration, whether during manufacture, transportation, maintenance, or operational use. The procedures of vibration methods address most of the life cycle situations during which vibration is likely to be experienced.

Random Vibration

Random Vibration test is conducted for the purpose of determining the ability of component parts to withstand the dynamic stress exerted by random vibration applied between upper and lower frequency limits to simulate the vibration experienced in various service field environments. Random vibration is characteristic of modern field environments produced by missiles, high-thrust jets and rocket engines. In these types of environments, random vibration provides a more realistic test. For design purposes, however, a swept frequency sinusoidal test may yield more pertinent design information.

Sine Vibration

The high-frequency vibration test is performed for the purpose of determining the effect on component parts of vibration in the frequency ranges of 10 to 500 hertz (Hz), 10 to 2,000 Hz or 10 to 3,000 Hz, as may be encountered in aircraft, missiles, and tanks. The choice of test condition severity should be based on the frequency range and the vibration amplitude dictated by the applications of the component under consideration and the state of the component part in relation to resistance-to-vibration damage.

MECHANICAL SHOCK

To determine the suitability of the devices for use in electronic equipment which may be subjected to moderately severe shocks as a result of suddenly applied forces.

The shock test is intended to determine the suitability of the devices for use in electronic equipment which may be subjected to moderately severe shocks as a result of suddenly applied forces or abrupt changes in motion produced by rough handling, transportation, or field operation. Shocks of this type may disturb operating characteristics or cause damage similar to that resulting from excessive vibration, particularly if the shock pulses are repetitive.

CONSTANT ACCELERATION TESTING

To determine the mechanical limits of the package, internal metallization and lead system, die or substrate attachment, and other elements of the microelectronic device.

This test is used to determine the effects of constant acceleration on microelectronic devices. It is an accelerated test designed to indicate types of structural and mechanical weaknesses not necessarily detected in shock and vibration tests. It may be used as a high-stress test to determine the mechanical limits of the package, internal metallization and lead system, die or substrate attachment and other elements of the microelectronic device. By establishing proper stress levels, it may also be employed as an in-line 100 percent screen to detect and eliminate devices with lower than nominal mechanical strengths in any of the structural elements.

Experience has since shown that there is seldom a direct relationship between resistance to salt atmosphere corrosion and resistance to corrosion in other media, even in so-called “marine” atmospheres and seawater.

However, some idea of the relative service life and behavior of different samples of the same (or closely related) metals or protective coating-base metal combinations in marine and exposed seacoast locations can be gained by means of the salt atmosphere test, provided accumulated data from correlated field service tests and laboratory salt atmosphere tests show that such a relationship does exist, as in the case of aluminum alloys. (Such correlation tests are also necessary to show the degree of acceleration, if any, produced by the laboratory test).

The salt atmosphere test is generally considered unreliable for comparing the general corrosion resistance of different kinds of metals or coating-metal combinations, or for predicting their comparative service life. The salt atmosphere test has received its widest acceptance as a test for evaluating the uniformity (specifically, thickness and degree of porosity) of protective coatings, metallic and nonmetallic, and has served this purpose with varying amounts of success. In this connection, the test is useful for evaluating different lots of the same product, once some standard level of performance has been established. The salt atmosphere test is especially helpful as a screening test for revealing particularly inferior coatings. When used to check the porosity of metallic coatings, the test is more dependable when applied to coatings that are cathodic rather than anodic toward the basic metal.

This test can also be used to detect the presence of free iron contaminating the surface of another metal, by inspection of the corrosion products.

Permanent changes in operating characteristics and physical damage produced during thermal shock result principally from variations in dimensions and other physical properties. Effects of thermal shock include cracking and delamination of finishes, cracking and crazing of embedding and encapsulating compounds, the opening of thermal seals and case seams, leakage of filling materials, rupturing, or cracking of hermetic seals and vacuum glass to metal seals, and changes in electrical characteristics due to mechanical displacement or rupture of conductors or of insulating materials.