Aerospace fluid susceptibility test service launched

This includes commercial avionics standard RTCA DO-160 (Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment) and the Ministry of Defence’s standard DEF STAN 00-35, which sets out the environmental conditions in which defence material is expected to operate and survive.

Contamination tests will cover fluids commonly used in airborne and ground operations, such as fuels, lubricants and solvents. Tests will also ensure that materials used in commercial aircraft cabins are resistant to everyday fluids, such as cleaning liquids and drinks, so that they maintain their integrity and visual appeal.

TÜV SÜD’s new fluid susceptibility test service joins a range of other established services, including environmental, simulation services, EMC and lightning testing. This will enable manufacturers to go to a single test laboratory to streamline test programmes and minimise market delays for new products.

Martin Foley, Business Line Manager for Aerospace & Defence at TÜV SÜD, said: “We understand how catastrophic contamination can be and our new fluid susceptibility test service is designed to help manufacturers optimise equipment design and minimise time to market. Our test methods will closely replicate specific fluid contamination scenarios so that manufacturers fully understand how much damage could be done to their equipment over time, enabling them to mitigate against failures within their product design. 

“Our extensive experience in meeting the complex compliance requirements of such programmes also minimises the amount of testing and will provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate compliance so that manufacturers can sell their equipment worldwide.”