Pyroshock – MIL-STD-810

What Is Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810?

The pyroshock test is one in which the very high-amplitude, high-frequency shock resulting from explosive separation events in space and missile systems is simulated. It cannot be produced with classical shock machines.

Purpose of Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810

The purpose is to verify that components retain their structural and functional integrity during separation events.

Which Products Is Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810 Applied To?

Satellite and launch vehicle components
Missile subsystems
Separation mechanisms
Space electronics

In Which Sectors Is Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810 Used?

AutomotiveAerospaceDefenceDemiryoluLogistics

Standards Related to Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810

MIL-STD-810environmental engineering assessments and laboratory tests test

Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810 Conditions

Shock response spectrum (SRS): Defined in the specification; contains very high frequency components
Production method: Real explosive, mechanical impact simulator or resonance plate
Time: Transient event on the order of milliseconds
Number of shocks: Defined in the specification

Equipment for Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810

Pyroshock test setup (resonant plate or explosive rig)
High-bandwidth accelerometers
High-sample-rate data acquisition
SRS analysis software

Sample Requirements for Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810

The sample must be mounted with its actual assembly interface
Accelerometer bandwidth must be adequate
Function must be checked before the test
Safety measures must be taken

Duration of Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810

Typically several days, including preparation and analysis.

Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810 Procedure

1The target SRS profile is defined.
2The generation method is selected and calibrated.
3The sample is mounted at the interface and accelerometers are placed.
4Shock is applied and recorded at high speed.
5The measured SRS is compared against the target.
6Function and visual inspection are carried out.

Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810 Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criterion is defined in the specification: the measured SRS falling within the tolerance band, and no damage or loss of function in the sample.

Evaluation of Results

The measurement chain is critical due to the high-frequency content; accelerometer resonance can distort the results.

Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810 Report

Standard applied
Target and measured SRS
Generation method and number of pulses
Accelerometer characteristics
Functional status

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

Space and defence platform specifications

Vibration and Shock — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Pyroshock test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Vibration and shock testing shows whether a product withstands mechanical dynamic loads. The two phenomena are distinct: vibration is a continuous and repeated loading, while shock is a single instantaneous impact at high acceleration. They produce different failure modes and are required separately.

The failure produced by vibration is FATIGUE: a solder joint cracks, a cable sheath abrades, a screw loosens, a connector loses contact. The failure produced by shock is FRACTURE: a brittle component shatters, a bracket breaks, a board comes out of its holder. Testing a product under vibration therefore does not show that it also withstands shock.

Vibration is applied in three forms, each giving different information. Sine vibration sweeps at a single frequency; it is used to find the resonant frequencies of the product and is very valuable at the design stage. Random vibration represents the broadband nature of the real environment and is preferred as evidence of durability. Sine-on-random and random-on-random profiles simulate together the broadband noise superimposed on dominant frequencies from engines and rotors — this is necessary in helicopter and turboprop applications.

RESONANCE is the concept at the centre of the field. Every structure has its own natural frequencies; as the excitation frequency approaches one of them the amplitude grows and the product is exposed to an acceleration many times the input level. A resonance search is therefore carried out before the test, and a design change often takes the form of shifting the resonance rather than lowering the level.

In this family the FIXTURE is part of the result, and this is the most frequently overlooked point. How the specimen is attached to the shaker directly changes the energy transmitted and the resonance behaviour. A poorly designed fixture brings its own resonances into play and imposes a load the product would not otherwise see, or conversely damps the real load and protects the product. Results obtained with different fixtures cannot be compared.

The choice of measurement point also determines the result. The control accelerometer is placed on the fixture and monitoring accelerometers at critical points of the product; the report must document these positions. Accelerations measured at different points in the same test can differ markedly.

Profiles are divided by application area: transport vibration (packaging and shipping), vehicle vibration (by mounting location), rail (EN 61373 categories), aviation (DO-160 sections), military (MIL-STD-810 methods) and battery transport (UN 38.3 T3). The same product passes through different profiles under different programmes.

Method groups in this field

Sine vibration
Determining resonances by frequency sweep and withstand at defined frequencies; the most informative test at the design stage.
Random vibration
Durability with a broadband power spectral density profile; the approach that best represents the real environment.
Combined profiles
Sine-on-random and random-on-random; for dominant frequencies arising from rotating machinery.
Classical shock
Defined acceleration and duration with half-sine, sawtooth and trapezoidal pulse shapes.
Free fall and toppling
Realistic drop scenarios arising from handling; decisive for portable products.
Resonance search and monitoring
Detection of structural change (cracking, loosening) by sweeps before and after the test.

Commonly confused in this field

Shock and vibration are not the same test; one produces fracture and the other fatigue, and they are required separately.
A report that does not document the fixture cannot be compared; a fixture can bring its own resonance into play.
Levels come from the product standard or the programme specification; the standard does not define a single universal level.
Without a resonance sweep before and after the test, structural damage can go unnoticed; the product may appear to work while being cracked internally.
The position of the measurement point must be reported; accelerations measured at different points in the same test differ markedly.
If the product is not operated during the test, intermittent loss of contact remains invisible.

Which decisions these results support

Verification of transport and in-use durability
Transport and vehicle vibration conformity for batteries
Rail, aviation and defence qualification files
Root cause analysis of solder, connector and joint failures
The decision to shift a resonance through a design change

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Pyroshock — MIL-STD-810

According to which standard is Pyroshock made?

Pyroshock is executed in scope MIL-STD-810 Method 517, NASA-STD-7003, ECSS-E-ST-10-03 and MIL-STD-810. The limit values and acceptance criteria to be applied are defined in the product standard; The version valid for your product is confirmed in writing at the offer stage.

Which products does Pyroshock apply to?

Mainly applied to Satellite and launch vehicle components, Missile subsystems, Separation mechanisms and Space electronics. Whether your product is included in the scope is determined by examining its technical specifications and intended use.

Under what conditions is Pyroshock done?

The determining parameters are: Shock response spectrum (SRS) — Defined in the specification; contains very high frequency components, Production method — Real explosive, mechanical impact simulator or resonance plate and Time — Transient event on the order of milliseconds. The full terms are in the "Test Conditions" section on the page and vary depending on the product standard.

What kind of sample is needed for Pyroshock?

The sample must be mounted with its actual assembly interface, Accelerometer bandwidth must be adequate and Function must be checked before the test. The number of samples is determined according to the product standard and the scope to be reported.

How long does Pyroshock take?

Typically several days, including preparation and analysis. This duration belongs to the experiment itself; sample preparation, queuing and reporting are also evaluated. A realistic schedule for your product is given in the offer.

What is the Pyroshock result called "appropriate"?

The acceptance criterion is defined in the specification: the measured SRS falling within the tolerance band, and no damage or loss of function in the sample.