Solar Radiation Testing Services

Element's solar radiation testing suite delivers comprehensive validation of your products against UV exposure and thermal effects. We offer both natural cycle simulation and accelerated testing options to meet your specific timeline requirements.

Key testing capabilities include:

• Cyclic exposure testing (MIL-STD-810 Section 505, Part 1)
• Steady-state exposure testing (MIL-STD-810 Section 505 Part 2)
• Peak temperature monitoring and analysis
• Material deterioration assessment
• Outgassing evaluation
• Structural rigidity testing

Element specializes in testing military equipment, defense materials, outdoor products, and non-metallic components that require validation against UV exposure and thermal effects. Our comprehensive testing capabilities cover both structural and aesthetic impacts of solar radiation, helping you validate everything from small plastic components to complete military systems and outdoor equipment assemblies.

We provide flexible testing approaches tailored to your specific requirements and timelines. Because most specifications only call for one solar radiation test, deciding which method is best can be challenging. Our experts help you understand the benefits of each test and select the one that best suits your needs.

Additional capabilities include:

• Real-time temperature monitoring
• Material response analysis
• Degradation rate assessment
• Performance threshold identification

Steady-State Exposure Testing:

As outlined in MIL-STD-810 Section 505 Part 2, steady-state exposure testing applies a constant, consistent rate of UV exposure to materials to determine how long it takes for discoloration and deterioration to occur.

Unlike cyclic exposure testing, steady-state exposure uses the same level of radiation over a pre-determined period to find out how many hours of exposure it takes to cause varying degrees of peeling, yellowing, material deterioration and structural change. It can also be used to measure outgassing, a potentially harmful release of vapors that occurs when plastics exceed certain temperatures. Because this is a more accelerated method, it is also used for long-term projects where cyclic exposure would require significantly more time and cost to test.

Cyclic Exposure Testing: 
As described in MIL-STD-810 Section 505, Part 1, cyclic exposure testing mimics the natural cycles of sunlight, providing an accurate simulation of how materials will react in real-life situations. Because cyclic exposure better simulates how sunlight changes over the day, this method is generally used to determine how increased temperature will affect a product. 

This procedure uses constant temperature monitoring to determine the peak internal and external temperatures of a product, find the point of failure, and establish acceptable working temperatures for products and materials. 

Our team operates from Product Qualification Testing hubs across the world, providing global access to our expert capabilities. Find out where your nearest Product Qualification Testing hub is on our Locations Page.