AECTP-500
Test scope according to AECTP‑300
AECTP‑300 groups NATO's climatic test methods under three-digit numbers: Method 301 contains the general requirements, and each further method describes one type of environmental stress. The overview shows the methods EDAG Testing offers – temperature, radiation and humidity tests, water and icing tests, corrosion, dust and fluid tests, and the combined test of vibration, temperature, humidity and altitude. We perform every test individually or as a complete test sequence according to your specification.
↓Temperature ↓Sun & humidity ↓Water & ice ↓Corrosion & dust ↓Combined ↓Contact
Temperature tests according to AECTP‑300 (Methods 302, 303, 304, 315)
Extreme heat and cold change materials, seals and electronics: plastics become brittle or soften, lubricants thicken, and different materials expand at different rates. The temperature tests show whether a specimen survives storage and operation at the limits of its service climate, rapid temperature changes and freeze-thaw cycles without damage.
| 302 | High Temperature: Tests storage and operation of the specimen at high temperatures – as a constant load or in a daily cycle, as occurs in hot climatic zones or in heated vehicles and containers. Typical findings include softening, deformation, ageing and functional failures. |
| 303 | Low Temperature: Tests storage, operation and handling of the specimen at low temperatures such as those in arctic regions and winter operations. Typical findings include embrittlement, cracking, stiff mechanisms and failures of electronics and batteries. |
| 304 | Thermal Shock: Exposes the specimen to rapid changes between extreme temperatures, for example when moved from a heated room into arctic cold or during air transport. The test shows whether stresses caused by differing thermal expansion lead to cracks, leaks or failures. |
| 315 | Freeze/Thaw: Tests the effects of moisture that repeatedly freezes and thaws in or on the specimen. Ice in gaps and seals can crack components or block mechanisms, and condensation forms during thawing. |
Solar radiation and humid heat according to AECTP‑300 (Methods 305, 306)
Intense solar radiation heats housings far above the air temperature and ages plastics and paints; warm, humid climates promote corrosion and condensation. These tests reproduce both stresses in a targeted manner.
| 305 | Solar Radiation: Irradiates the specimen with simulated sunlight. Both the heating effect of solar radiation in a daily cycle and the photochemical degradation of plastics, paints, rubber and textiles, such as embrittlement and fading, are tested. |
| 306 | Humid Heat: Exposes the specimen to a warm, humid climate such as occurs in tropical regions and during storage and transport. Typical findings include corrosion, swelling of materials, condensation and electrical malfunctions. |
Water and icing tests according to AECTP‑300 (Methods 307, 310, 311)
Water penetrates through seals, cable glands and housing joints, causing short circuits, corrosion and insulation faults; when it freezes, it blocks mechanisms and controls. These tests show whether a specimen withstands immersion, rain and ice accretion without damage.
| 307 | Immersion: Tests the watertightness of the specimen during partial or complete immersion in water, for example when crossing bodies of water or when stored in flooded areas. Water ingress and function after the test are assessed. |
| 310 | Rain/Watertightness: Tests how effectively housings and seals protect the specimen against rain and water. Wind-blown rain and dripping water, for example, are simulated; the specimen is then inspected for water ingress and malfunctions. |
| 311 | Icing: Simulates ice accretion on the specimen caused by freezing rain or freezing water spray. The test checks whether hatches, switches, antennas and moving parts still work under a layer of ice. |
Salt fog, dust and fluid tests according to AECTP‑300 (Methods 309, 313, 314)
Salt-laden air, fine dust and blowing sand as well as fuels, hydraulic fluids and cleaning agents attack surfaces, seals and electronics over time. The tests reveal how resistant materials and housings are to corrosive, abrasive and chemical influences.
| 309 | Salt Fog: Exposes the specimen to a salt fog that reproduces the corrosive effect of salt-laden air in coastal and marine areas in accelerated form. The corrosion resistance of metals and coatings and the function after exposure are tested. |
| 313 | Sand and Dust: Tests whether fine dust and blowing sand penetrate the specimen, impair seals, bearings and filters or damage surfaces through abrasion. Blowing dust and wind-driven sand, as encountered in desert regions and off-road operation, are simulated. |
| 314 | Contamination by Fluids: Tests the resistance of materials and surfaces to fluids the specimen may come into contact with in service, such as fuels and lubricants, hydraulic fluids, cleaning agents and de-icing fluids. Changes such as swelling, softening, cracking and loss of function are assessed. |
Combined test according to AECTP‑300 (Method 318)
In service, environmental stresses rarely occur in isolation. When vibration, temperature, humidity and low air pressure act simultaneously, they reinforce each other – the combined test reproduces this interaction realistically.
| 318 | Vibration/Temperature/Humidity/Altitude: Combines vibration, temperature, humidity and low pressure (altitude) in one test, as they act simultaneously on airborne equipment in flight, for example. This reveals failures that only occur when the loads interact, such as condensation in combination with vibration. |
Product information "AECTP-500"
Climatic Environmental Tests
Whether desert heat, arctic cold, tropical humidity or salt-laden sea air: defence materiel must work reliably in every climatic zone in which it is deployed. The NATO publication AECTP‑300 (Allied Environmental Conditions and Test Publication) describes the climatic environmental tests for this purpose and forms part of STANAG 4370. Test methods and severities are tailored to the life cycle of the materiel. EDAG Testing performs climatic tests to AECTP‑300 individually or as a coordinated test programme.
Login
Get in touch with us
Do you have any questions or need personalized advice?
We are happy to assist you.
