Testing Disciplines
Immersion
| The immersion test is performed to determine if a product can withstand immersion or partial immersion (e.g., fording) in water and operate as required during or following immersion. | |
| Applicability | |
| Use this method for products that may be exposed to partial or complete immersion, with or without operation. | |
 Products that are
required to operate in standing water |
Submersible
Components |
| Submarine Components |
Transit Cases |
| Amphibious Vehicles |
Marine Drivetrain
Components |
| Underwater Tools |
Sealed Packages |
| Effects | |
| Penetration of water into materiel or packaging enclosures can result in problems. | |
| Fouling of lubricants
between moving parts. |
|
| Formation of
electrically conductive paths which may cause electrical
or electronic equipment to malfunction or become unsafe
to operate. |
|
| Corrosion due to
direct exposure to the water or to the relatively high
humidity levels caused by the water. |
|
| Impairment of the
burning qualities of explosives, propellants, fuels, etc. |
|
| Failure of vehicle
engines to operate. |
|
| Test Methods | |
| Immersion |
Fording |
| External Hydrostatic
Pressure |
Internal Hydrostatic
Pressure |
| Related Test Methods | |
| Dripping Water |
Blowing Rain |
| Rain |
Water Tightness |
| Variables | |
| Depth of Immersion |
Duration of Immersion |
| Test Item
Configuration |
Partial or Complete
Immersion |
| Water Temperature |
Test Specimen
Temperature |
| Tiedowns |
External or Internal
Pressure |
| Procedure Selection | |
| When selecting procedures, consider: | |
| The operational
purpose of the Test Specimen, determine the functions to
be performed by the Test Specimen when partially or
completely immersed in water. |
|
| The natural exposure
circumstances. |
|
| The test data
required to determine whether the operational purpose of
the Test Specimen has been met. |
|
| Test Item Configuration | |
| Use a test item configuration that reproduces, as close as possible, the anticipated configuration during storage or use, such as: | |
| Enclosed in a
shipping container, storage container or transit case. |
|
| Protected or
unprotected. |
|
| Deployed
realistically or with restraints, such as with openings
that are normally covered. |
|
| Typical Test Standards | |
| MIL-STD-810 |
MIL-STD-883 |
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