MIL-STD-810
Department of War Test Method Standard, Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests

MIL-STD-810 is a U.S. military standard that establishes environmental test methods for equipment and systems. Its purpose is to ensure materials, devices, and systems can withstand the environmental stresses they will encounter during their service life. Although originally designed for military applications, many aerospace, automotive, electronics, and commercial industries also use MIL-STD-810 to prove reliability and durability. The standard does not mandate fixed test levels — it provides guidance and procedures for tailoring test conditions to specific environments encountered worldwide.

Why Choose E-Labs for MIL-STD-810 Testing?

E-Labs has decades of experience providing environmental, mechanical, and dynamic testing services in accordance with MIL-STD-810. Our engineers tailor test plans to your program requirements, ensuring results that accurately represent your product’s field performance. Whether your equipment must withstand extreme heat and/or cold, vibration, explosive shocks, low pressure (altitude), submersion, sand, dust and rain, explosive environments or corrosive conditions, E-Labs delivers the testing expertise to prove it.

Who Needs MIL-STD-810 Testing?

Any organization that designs or manufactures equipment expected to endure harsh environments can benefit from MIL-STD-810 testing. This includes:

• Companies supplying military or defense contractors who must meet government procurement requirements.
• Aerospace and aviation manufacturers ensuring aircraft systems and components perform under altitude, vibration, and temperature extremes.
• Electronics and communications providers needing devices to function reliably in field or tactical environments.
• Automotive and transportation industries testing vehicles, subsystems, and components for rugged use.
• Marine and shipboard systems developers verifying resistance to salt spray, humidity, and vibration.
• Outdoor equipment manufacturers proving durability under sun, rain, sand, dust, or extreme cold.

In short, MIL-STD-810 is essential for any organization where mission success, safety, and reliability depend on environmental performance.

MIL-STD-810 Testing Methods

Climatic Testing

• 500: Low Pressure (Altitude) - Simulates high-altitude environments with reduced air pressure.
• 501: High Temperature - Tests performance in hot storage and operational conditions.
• 502: Low Temperature - Evaluates survivability and function in extreme cold.
• 503: Temperature Shock - Assesses resilience to sudden temperature changes.
• 504: Contamination by Fluids - Determines how equipment is affected by temporary exposure to various fluids.
• 505: Solar Radiation - Simulates ultraviolet (UV) exposure and heating from sunlight.
• 506: Rain Test - Evaluates materials exposed to rain, water spray, or dripping water during storage, transit, or operation
• 507: Humidity - Determines resistance to high humidity cycles.
• 509: Salt Fog - Simulates corrosive salt spray environments.
• 510: Sand and Dust - Evaluates performance under blowing particles.
• 511: Explosive Atmosphere - Ensures equipment will not ignite volatile atmospheres.
• 512: Immersion - Tests watertightness during submersion.
• 518: Acidic Atmosphere – Determines resistance of materials/coatings to corrosive atmospheres. Can determine affect on operational capabilities.
• 532: Fluid Contamination – Tests exposure to fuels, lubricants, cleaning agents, and hydraulic fluids.
• 533: Fungus – Evaluates resistance to microbial growth in warm, humid conditions.

Dynamic and Mechanical Testing

• 514: Vibration – Simulates transport, operational, and random vibration environments.
• 516: Shock – Evaluates survival after sudden impact.
• 517: Pyroshock – Tests response to explosive separation events.
• 519: Gunfire Shock – Simulates mechanical shock from weapon fire.
• 521: Icing/Freezing Rain – Evaluates function during ice buildup.
• 522: Ballistic Shock – Assesses survivability under extreme mechanical shock.
• 520: Combined Environments – Combines temperature, humidity, vibration, and altitude conditions.

In short, MIL-STD-810 includes climatic, dynamic, mechanical, and contamination tests to replicate real-world environments — from desert sandstorms and ocean salt spray to high-altitude cold and explosive shocks.

Industries We Serve

E-Labs supports a wide range of industries that require reliable, real-world testing to meet MIL-STD-810 standards, including:

• Defense and Military Contractors
• Aerospace and Aviation Manufacturers
• Electronics & Communications Equipment Providers
• Automotive and Transportation Industries
• Marine & Shipboard Systems Developers
• Outdoor & Rugged Equipment Manufacturers
• Industrial & Energy Equipment Suppliers
• Medical & Emergency Equipment Designers

Ready to ensure your equipment meets MIL-STD-810 requirements?
Contact E-Labs today to discuss your testing needs. Our experienced engineers are here to guide you through the testing process, whether you need a single test, full program support, or a customized solution.