Solar radiation standards outline tests designed to assess the performance of electronics exposed to outdoor or harsh environments. Two primary standards in this field are MIL-STD-810G and IEC 60068-2-5.
Key Standards: MIL-STD-810G and IEC 60068-2-5
These standards are essential for environmental testing, particularly for electronics subjected to solar radiation. They do not dictate specific test methods but emphasize the concept of "tailoring," allowing engineers to design tests that replicate environmental stresses realistically. This flexibility ensures that the standards are performance-based, accommodating various hardware designs and enabling alterations in test conditions to meet the standards' intent.
Applications and Requirements
Solar radiation testing is crucial for military and other environmental programs, as it simulates the thermal and physical degradation effects of UV sunlight on materials and products. These tests focus on two major impacts:
- Thermal Response: Assessing how materials handle heat exposure.
- Photochemical Deterioration: Evaluating how UV radiation causes material aging, including discolouration, structural weakening, and potential outgassing.
Flexibility in Testing
MIL-STD-810G explicitly states that the standard does not impose rigid design or test specifications but describes an environmental tailoring process based on performance requirements. This flexibility is echoed in IEC 60068-2-5, allowing test conditions to be adapted to meet the specific needs of the materials being tested.
Practical Implementation with Q-SUN Testers
The Q-SUN product line is suitable for conducting these environmental solar radiation tests. Despite the challenges of meeting the target spectral power distribution specified in the standards (280 to 3000 nm), Q-SUN xenon-arc weathering testers can fulfil the performance requirements of Method 505.5 of MIL-STD-810G through appropriate test tailoring.
Accreditation and Procedures
Laboratories aiming to include these standards in their accreditation scope must develop procedures that detail their selected test tailoring methods for Q-SUN testers. Q-Lab provides support through special letters confirming that, with proper tailoring, Q-SUN testers meet the necessary performance requirements.
By following these guidelines, laboratories can ensure accurate and effective solar radiation testing, which is critical for the durability and reliability of electronics in challenging environments.
