Methodology Investigation. Chamber Versus Environmental Deterioration Tests
Abstract
The US Army Tropic Test Center and the US Army Materiel Test and Evaluation Directorate, White Sands Missile Range, conducted a 1-year methodology investigation to determine correlations between test results obtained for selected systems exposed to the humid tropics and in controlled environmental test chambers. A tropical greenhouse was evaluated as an alternative to standard temperature-humidity chambers. It was concluded that the tropical greenhouse exposure provided a more accurate prediction of tropic performance than the temperature-humidity chamber. Acceleration of tropic degradation processes was not observed in simulated environments. At least 6 to 12 months were required to produce failure. It was recommended that further studies be conducted to refine and validate the tropical greenhouse methodology in order to better predict materiel performance in the humid tropics. This refinement and validation is required prior to substituting the greenhouse methodology for field exposure testing. Because degradation processes are not accelerated in the chamber, a cost comparison study should be conducted between chamber testing and field testing in the humid tropics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA099645
Entities
People
- Oscar H. Calderon
- William A. Dement