Quick look:
- Tests for solar radiation
- Includes two procedures: Testing for the heating effect and testing for ultraviolet photodegradation
- An essential test for equipment that will be used in hot environments, like the desert
About MIL-STD-810 Method 505
Method 505 looks at how a product deals with two kinds of effects associated with solar radiation: The heating effect and the ultraviolet photodegradation effect.
The goal of procedure one testing is to determine what kinds of problems the heat from solar radiation causes. This is typically a three-day test that simulates a very hot environment, like a desert, followed by exposure to solar radiation in the position the unit would normally be used.
For both cases of solar radiation testing, the irradiance that hits the device is usually around 1120 watts per square meter. There’s a fairly broad spectrum of where that radiation is, but for the heating effects, about the main concern is the infrared side.
Procedure two, photodegradation, tests the effects of UV radiation. This includes looking for seal failures or adhesive degradation—any problems solar radiation may cause. For UV, it may be the fading or the changing of plastics. If caught early, the strength of plastic can be changed to ensure it doesn’t fail or crumble if it’s not adequately designed or used in an application.
