Climatic Chamber Configurator
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On these pages we often talk about environmental testing of products and materials.
For testing batteries and accumulators, discover the battery test chamber, designed for testing under controlled conditions.
But a very broad and important class of tests on products and materials is that of mechanical tests.
Mechanical shock and vibration tests are fundamental within this class of tests and today we will see what they consist of.
How the Mechanical Shock (and Vibration) Test Works
Mechanical shock and vibration testing share many of their purposes as they form the cornerstone of all mechanical testing of products and materials; but they also have important differences.
The mechanical shock test is used to evaluate the ability of an object to withstand sudden impacts or shocks that an object might experience in real-world situations.
There are various types of mechanical tests, such as drop tests and impact tests. Generally, the object is subjected to sudden and rapid acceleration or deceleration, resulting in an impact.
Vibration testing, on the other hand, evaluates the effects of a slight but subtle stress, which we call vibration. Real-world situations that cause vibration are numerous, but we particularly consider the transportation of goods , which subjects them to continuous vibration. In the laboratory, this condition is simulated using specific instruments.
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What is the Mechanical Shock (and Vibration) Test for?
Given the universality of the possibility of shock, as well as the presence of vibrations at least during transport, there is really no industrial sector spared from mechanical shock and vibration testing.
However, we can identify three that are particularly affected by it and they are:
- Military and aerospace: For obvious reasons, both military and aerospace vehicles and equipment must demonstrate high resistance to various types of mechanical shocks and very high vibration intensities.
- Automotive: Although less intense, cars are subjected to continuous vibrations and, unfortunately, also impacts. Mechanical shock testing, like vibration testing, is among the most important in the automotive industry.
- Electronics industry: For various reasons, the electronics industry is also subject to mechanical shock and vibration testing. What's at stake here isn't the frequency or intensity of vibrations and shocks, but rather the fragility of such sophisticated devices.
The specifications for conducting mechanical shock and vibration tests in each of these areas are outlined in a number of international standards , including: MIL-STD-750, MIL-STD-883, ASTM D3332/D3332M, ISO 16750, and AEC-Q100.
Environmental Chambers and Mechanical Shock Tests
Mechanical testing and climatic testing are the two main categories of material and product testing but they are far from being watertight compartments.
In the real world , which these tests attempt to simulate as accurately as possible, nothing happens in a vacuum. For this reason, many mechanical tests specify the temperatures at which to perform the test, or rather, at which to condition the sample being tested.
This is particularly true for the last sector we mentioned, that is, electronic components , which are particularly sensitive to the environmental conditions in which they are located, and high temperatures and/or relative humidity significantly affect the reaction of these components to shocks and vibrations.
For this reason, environmental chambers play a role in various procedures where temperature and relative humidity ranges within which to maintain the sample before testing.
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The FDM Environmental Chamber for Mechanical Shock Testing
FDM environmental chambers are the perfect tool for conditioning samples for mechanical shock testing. They are particularly suited to the electronics industry, where extreme temperatures are required to verify circuit functionality under any conditions.
Furthermore, our technicians are always available to listen to the customer's needs to design a customized environmental chamber that meets their requirements.
For any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Reference Standards
- IEC 60068-2-27 — Test Ea: Shock
- IEC 60068-2-6 — Test Fc: Vibration, sinusoidal
- IEC 60068-2-64 — Test Fh: Vibration, broadband random
- MIL-STD-810H Method 516.8 / 514.8 — Shock/Vibration for Military Systems
- ISO 16750-3 — Mechanical loads (shock + vibration) automotive
- ASTM D4169 — Performance Testing of Shipping Containers (shock + vibration transport)
- RTCA DO-160G Section 7/8 — Operational / Crash Safety / Vibration for avionics
Authoritative Sources
- IEC 60068-2-27 Shock.
- ASTM D4169.
- IEST Vibration and Shock — Best practice mechanical testing.
Shock and Vibration Test Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mechanical shock and vibration?
Mechanical shock is a short, high-intensity pulse (typically vibration is continuous oscillation for minutes/hours with a sinusoidal (single frequency) or random (broad spectrum PSD) profile. Standard test: 10-2000 Hz with PSD 0.04 g²/Hz (automotive). Simulates transportation, motor operation, vibrating structures.
How do you calculate the severity of a random vibration profile?
With PSD (Power Spectral Density) in g²/Hz. The overall RMS acceleration is Grms = √(∫ PSD df). Typical profiles: Auto ISO 16750 27.8 Grms (broadband 10-2000 Hz), Avionics DO-160 Cat S 7 Grms, Transport ASTM D4169 0.4-1.2 Grms. The test duration is chosen to accumulate fatigue damage equivalent to the real life cycle (e.g. 3h random = 10 years service life according to Miner's rule).
Can I combine shock/vibration with temperature?
Yes, combined environment (CET) chambers integrate an electrodynamic shaker on a climatic plate. Typical ranges: temperature -70°C/+180°C + vibration up to 70 kN thrust. These tests are required for aerospace qualification (RTCA DO-160G Section 8.6 Random Vibration with Thermal), automotive EV (battery pack under thermocycles + vibration mission profile), and defense (MIL-STD-810 combined sequence).
What is the role of fastening in shock/vibration testing?
The fixture (mechanical support of the specimen on the shaker plate) must initially resonate above 2x the maximum test frequency to avoid falsifying results. Typical materials: machined 7075 aluminum, magnesium, high-frequency titanium. Design requires FEM modal analysis and qualification with a laser vibrometer. An incorrect fixture can locally amplify or attenuate up to ±10 dB, making the test non-reproducible and non-compliant.
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