At the beginning of the 21st century, we have noticed that environmental conditions have a great impact on the performance of products. As products become more and more complex and the using environment becomes more and more harsh, people start to attach importance to the environmental test. Therefore, we are going to learn about the function and importance of the environmental test.

l  Function of the Environmental Test

1.    Test for Research

Research test is mainly used in the stage of product design and development. It is used to check whether the selected components, the designed structure and the process can meet the actual environmental requirements and the existing problems. In order to save time and fully expose the weak links of products, the accelerated environmental test is generally adopted.

2.    Test for Product Finalization

Finalization test is used to determine whether the product can meet the design specifications and safety requirements under the predetermined environmental conditions. Additionally, this kind of environmental test is the most comprehensive test because all environmental factors that products may encounter must be taken into account.

3.    Test for Inspection

Environmental testing equipment used for product inspection test is mainly used to check the process quality of products and the quality stability when the process changes.

4.    Test for Product Acceptance

Acceptance test is used for some items that must be carried out this environmental test to ensure the quality of products when they leave the factory. And the acceptance test is usually carried out by sampling so that the cost of the environmental test is small.

5.    Test for Safety

Benchtop environmental chamber can be used to check whether products are harmful to health and life. Constant acceleration can be used to check the firmness of product installation and connection in order to prevent casualties or damage of equipment in emergency. And safety tests are usually conducted at a more rigorous level than normal tests.

6.    Test for Reliability

Reliability test is composed of environmental test, life test, phenomenal test and special test and so on, among which the environmental test is the main component. MIL-ZTD-781D clearly stipulates that environmental test is not only a necessary supplement to reliability test but also an important means to improve product reliability.

l  Importance of the Environmental Test

With the rapid development of science and technology, and the exploitation and utilization of natural resources, the environment of various products in storage, transportation and use is becoming more and more complex and harsh. This makes both users and producers concerned about the performance, reliability and safety of products in the natural environment. In order to ensure that products can work satisfactorily, there is a must to carry out the environmental test.

The evaluation of a product should not only depend on its excellent function and performance, but also on its various conditions, such as the reliability of its function and performance, and its maintenance and cost in harsh environment and so on. In improving the reliability of products, the environmental test plays an important role. It is no exaggeration to say that without the environmental test, it is impossible to correctly identify the quality of products and ensure the quality of products.

Environmental tests run through the development, production and use of products. The more accurate the environmental test is, the better the reliability of the product is. That is all that counts.