Thermal shock test
Thermal shock testing is an environmental treatment used to evaluate the resistance of materials or components to rapid and significant changes in temperature.
This test is critical in determining the strength and reliability of a product when exposed to extreme environmental conditions. During the test, the sample is subjected to heating and cooling cycles, thus simulating the temperature changes it might encounter during its life cycle.
Thegoal is to identify any defects, cracks, structural or functional changes that could compromise product performance over time.
What is and how does the thermal shock test work
Thermal shock is one of the most onerous environmental tests for materials and components, so it is often performed when the finished product must meet very high reliability and safety criteria.
The specimen undergoing treatment is transferred from a high-temperature environment to a low-temperature environment in a few seconds so as to impose high thermal stress.
Depending on the level of reliability the finished product requires or the type of investigation to be performed, anywhere from a few cycles, up to hundreds of thermal cycles can be performed between the two extreme temperature levels.
Thestructural and functional integrity of the specimen is monitored either continuously or periodically to identify any failures.
Why carry out this type of test
This type of testing is essential in industries where product safety and durability are critical, such asaerospace, automotive and electronics.
It therefore becomes important in the analysis or validations of electronic boards, heat exchangers and piping, valves, and all those components that may be subject to thermally harsh environments.
In these cases, thermal shock testing becomes an indispensable and very useful tool to ensure that the product maintains its functionality and safety over time.
The thermal shock test in TEC Eurolab
How are all technical aspects of thermal shock testing examined in detail? What are the key steps and methodologies adopted by TEC Eurolab to ensure accurate and reliable results?
In the next few paragraphs we understand together how these tests are conducted within TEC Eurolab, thanks to the experience and advanced technology available.
Machinery and technology used
Test procedure
At TEC Eurolab, the thermal shock test is conducted and monitored by trained technicians, following strict protocols in order to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability of the test.
Tests can be performed either at the specific request of the client or by following the guidelines given by the relevant testing standards (e.g. RTCADO, MIL, EVS, ISO, ASTM, etc…).
Samples are then also prepared for testing by adding, where necessary, additional sensors for monitoring parameters of interest such as temperature sensors, strain gauges for evaluating expansion, etc.
In TEC Eurolab it is also possible to set up functional tests at the same time as the treatment itself. Frequently, functional cycles are imposed on PCBs, pressure cycles on fluid-dynamic systems, etc.
Downstream of the tests, the necessary analysis is then carried out on the sample and the data collected to identify any anomalies.
TEC Eurolab's thermal shock test: the industries involved
Thermal shock testing can become important for any industry sector. However, it plays a key role in the following industries:
– aerospace;
– automotive;
– electronics.