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.
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.
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:
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
- Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
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.
Your Challenges, Our Solutions
your testing partner
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.
Explore our global network of Labs and find your nearest location
View all locationsRelated Services
Climatics and Environmental Simulation
Element can provide you with critically important data on your product or part's performance in response to typical or extreme environmental conditions.
Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) Test
Element helps you provide greater product reliability in less time with accredited Environmental Stress Screening ESS test programs.
Thermal Analysis (DSC, TMA, DMA, TGA)
Thermal analysis methods measure mechanical changes under differing temperatures and loads, and can pinpoint when and at what temperature significant thermal events occur.
Thermal vacuum testing
Element's thermal vacuum testing allows for the simulation of space and upper atmosphere conditions, including temperature and altitude.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Element offers advanced numerical analysis services using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) techniques utilizing industry leading software to predict the long term behavior of material components and products when in service.
Mechanical & Destructive Testing
Element's mechanical tests are part of our destructive testing services, they show whether a material or part is suitable for its intended mechanical applications.