Thermal Testing Methods

Protect your heat-sensitive products with comprehensive thermal testing that guarantees performance in any temperature environment. From aerospace components to transportation systems, our thermal testing methods deliver the accurate data you need for safe operating limits and regulatory compliance, helping you bring reliable products to market faster.

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What is Thermal Testing at Element?

Thermal testing methods evaluate how products and materials perform under various temperature conditions. At Element, we provide comprehensive thermal testing methods including thermal shock, vacuum, and elevated temperature mechanical testing to validate performance across extreme temperature ranges.

Element testing specialist standing among environmental test chambers in product testing lab

What Can Element Offer You For Thermal Testing?

Components and materials we test

We specialize in comprehensive thermal testing across diverse industries, from critical aerospace components to industrial materials. Our advanced testing chambers accommodate components up to 12' x 8' x 8', enabling testing of both small precision parts and large assemblies. We support testing across extreme temperature ranges from cryogenic to 2,000°F (1093°C), ensuring thorough evaluation of your materials' thermal properties.

Key tests offered

We combine high temperatures with mechanical testing, environmental simulation, analytical methods, and more to provide comprehensive testing programs. Our thermal testing portfolio delivers complete characterization of your products' thermal performance. We offer sophisticated testing methods tailored to your specific requirements, ensuring comprehensive evaluation of material properties and performance under various temperature conditions.

Testing capabilities include:

Thermal shock testing (-70°C to 200°C) with automatic and manual cycles
Thermal vacuum testing for space flight components
Elevated temperature mechanical testing up to 2000°F
Combined environmental simulation
Comprehensive thermal analysis (DSC, DMA, TGA, TMA)
Advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Combined environmental simulation

Methods and solutions offered

We enhance thermal testing with complementary environmental simulation methods to create robust testing protocols that reflect real-world conditions. Our integrated approach combines multiple requirements into single testing programs, streamlining your qualification process while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy.

Elevated temperature mechanical testing methods include:

Chapry/Izod impact testing from -320 - 1700°F (-196 - 926°C)
Tensile testing up to 2000°F (1093°C)
Thermomechanical Fatigue up to 2000°F
Bend testing from -120 - 300° F (-84 - 149°C)
Flexural strength testing form -200 - 300°F (-129 - 149°C)
Shear testing from -94 - 338°F (-70 - 170°C)

Thermal analysis methods
Some of our most common thermal analysis methods include:

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) & Testing Support
Our services support you during pre-qualification and conceptual design — helping you identify potential issues early and optimize your product's performance.

Our FEA services are complemented by comprehensive material testing and product qualification testing, ensuring a complete approach to validation. Our analysis team works closely with our physical testing department, providing solutions when test failures occur and ensuring that simulation results align with real-world testing, so you get data-driven insights and practical solutions to enhance your product's durability, safety, and overall performance.

Thermal shock capabilities include:

Temperature range: -70°C to 200°C
Chamber size: Up to 12’ x 8’ x 8’
Automatic and manual cycles
Simultaneous humidity testing

Thermal vacuum testing
Used to evaluate sealing components and perform High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) programs across many industries.
Thermal vacuum testing capabilities include:

Interior Dimensions: 28.5” W x 24.5” H x 26” D
Temperature Range: Cryogenic to 180º C
Heating ramp rate: 7° C / minute
Cooling ramp rate: 5.1° C / minute

Vacuum Range: 1 x 10-6 @ 150ºC or better

Cutting-edge equipment we use

Our state-of-the-art facilities feature advanced thermal testing equipment designed to deliver precise, reliable results. From thermal vacuum chambers with exact temperature control to environmental simulation systems, our technology ensures accurate data for your testing requirements. We maintain strict calibration standards and regular updates to guarantee testing accuracy.

Which labs offer this service

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.

Standards we meet and the materials we test

These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!

MIL-STD-810
EN 60068
GR-63-CORE
RTCA DO-160

Your Challenges, Our Solutions

Product safety in extreme environments

Your products must perform reliably across extreme temperature ranges. Our comprehensive thermal testing programs evaluate performance under precise temperature conditions, delivering detailed data about operating limits and material characteristics that ensure product safety and reliability in any environment.

Complex qualification requirements

Meeting multiple testing requirements can be time-consuming and complex. Our integrated approach combines thermal testing with other environmental methods in single testing programs, streamlining your qualification process while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.

Time and budget pressures

Getting products to market quickly while ensuring quality is crucial. Our focused project management approach and global laboratory network work together to deliver accurate results on time and within budget, reducing your development cycle without compromising on testing quality.

Regulatory compliance challenges

Industry standards and regulations require thorough validation. Our testing programs comply with major standards like MIL-STD-810 and RTCA DO-160, ensuring your products meet all necessary requirements across aerospace, defense, and transportation sectors while simplifying the certification process.

Why Choose Element

Single-source testing partner

Complete testing solutions from one trusted provider, streamlining your qualification process.

Global laboratory network

Access to worldwide testing facilities with consistent quality and expertise.

Industry-leading expertise

Comprehensive understanding of thermal testing across aerospace, defense, and transportation sectors.

Combined testing capabilities

Unique ability to pair thermal testing with other environmental methods for complete qualification.

-70°C to 200°C
temperature range

for thermal shock testing

Up to 12’ x 8’ x 8’

thermal shock chamber size

Up to 180º C

Cryogenic Temperature Range for thermal vacuum testing

1 x 10-6 @ 150ºC
or better

thermal vacuum range

Element testing engineer operating salt fog chamber for product environmental testing

Frequently asked questions

What size components can be tested in Element’s thermal chambers?

Our advanced chambers can accommodate components up to 12’ x 8’ x 8’, ideal for both precision parts and large assemblies.

Can Element combine multiple tests in one program?

Yes, we offer combined environmental simulation, streamlining your qualification process with integrated thermal, mechanical, and environmental testing methods.