ISO/TC 172/SC 1/WG 3 - Environmental test methods

ISO 9022-1:2016 defines terms relating to environmental tests of optical and photonic instruments, including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical and electronic devices), and specifies basic features of testing.

ISO 9022-23:2016 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of low pressure combined with cold, including the potential condensation and freezing of moisture, ambient temperature, and dry or damp heat. It is applicable to optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields, designed for operation and/or transport in high mountainous areas or on board aircraft or missiles. The purpose of the testing is to investigate to what extent optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical, and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by combined low pressure and low, ambient, or high temperature. Furthermore, the additional effects of moisture condensing and freezing on the instrument or components can be determined. Examples are instruments which are installed or externally mounted on aircraft or missiles or transported inside aircraft or flying objects not providing any pressure equalization. Annex A explains the intent of the different types of tests.

ISO 9022-9:2016 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the effects of simulated solar radiation or laboratory weathering, which is a combination of simulated solar radiation, heat, and moisture. It is applicable to instruments that may be exposed to sunlight during operation or unsheltered storage on the earth's surface, or in the lower atmosphere. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by solar radiation or weathering (solar radiation, heat, and moisture).

ISO 10109:2015 contains tables for environmental tests and test parameters which can be used as a guideline for the selection of environmental tests. These include the selection of standardized tests according to ISO 9022 as well as additional parameters not described in ISO 9022 and necessary for the optical or photonic instruments. Ultimately, these tables specify the requirements to be met with regard to the reliability of the optical, mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties or performance characteristics of the instruments when exposed to environmental influences.

ISO 9022-11:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments, including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices) under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of mould growth. However, complete instruments or assemblies are only tested as specified in ISO 9022-11:2015 in exceptional cases. Normally, representative specimens such as mounted optics, material samples, or surface coatings on representative samples are used for testing. The tests described in ISO 9022-11:2015 are designed for the selection of materials and components for instruments likely to be used in an environment that is conducive to mould growth, rather than for regular production control. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by mould growth. In addition, the tests in ISO 9022-11:2015 are designed to assess to what extent metabolic waste products (such as enzymes or acids) excreted by fungi, cause etching, corrosion, or short-circuits on, for instance, printed circuit boards.

ISO 9022-17:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments and including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices) under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of combined contamination and solar radiation. "Contamination", as used in ISO 9022-17:2015, means the contact of optical instruments with corrosive chemical substances (hereafter called test agents). Complete instruments or assemblies are, however, not be tested to ISO 9022-17:2015 except for special reasons (refer to ISO 9022-12). As a rule, representative substrates are used as specimens. The tests described in ISO 9022-17:2015 are designed for the selection of materials and components for instruments likely to be subjected to combined contamination and solar radiation during service life, rather than for regular production control. The purpose of testing is to investigate the resistance of an instrument, and in particular, of instrument surfaces, coatings, or synthetic materials, to a short-time exposure to the test agents combined with solar radiation.

ISO 9022-14:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices) under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of dew, hoarfrost or ice. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical, and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by dew, hoarfrost, or ice.

ISO 9022-12:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of contamination, i.e. contact with corrosive chemical substances (hereafter called test agents). However, complete instruments or assemblies are only tested as specified in ISO 9022-12:2015 in exceptional cases. Normally, representative samples such as material items or surface coatings on representative substrates are used for testing. The tests described in ISO 9022-12:2015 are designed for the selection of materials and components for instruments likely to suffer contamination during service life, rather than for regular production control. The purpose of testing is to investigate the resistance of an instrument and, in particular, of instrument surfaces, coatings, or synthetic materials, to a short exposure to the test agents.

ISO 9022-7:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of drip or rain. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical, and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by drip or rain. Contamination of drip or rain water due to impurities in the air is to be ignored for the purposes of ISO 9022-7:2015.

ISO 9022-6:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of blowing dust. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical, and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by blowing dust, especially with a view to malfunctions of moving parts (such as sliding surfaces, bearings, contacts, operating controls, gears) or unacceptable wear of surfaces. This test is not intended to determine the wear resistance to coarse dust.

ISO 9022-8:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of high pressure, low pressure, or immersion. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical, and electrical performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by high pressure, low pressure, or immersion.

ISO 9022-2:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of temperature and/or humidity. The purpose of the testing is to investigate to what extent optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical, and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by temperature and/or humidity.

ISO 9022-3:2015 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of mechanical stress. The purpose of the testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical, and electrical (including electrostatic) performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by mechanical stress.

ISO 9022-20:2014 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in a humid atmosphere. The purpose of the testing is to investigate to what extent optical, climatic, mechanical, chemical, and electrical performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. ISO 9022-20:2014 is not applicable to the testing of material and surface coatings for their corrosion resistance using high concentrations of sulfur dioxide, for which representative samples are generally used as specimens. The appropriate material standards apply to tests of this type.

ISO 9022-4:2014 specifies the methods relating to the environmental tests of optical instruments including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical, and electronic devices), under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of salt mist. Exposure to salt mist mainly results in the corrosion of metals. Effects might also occur by way of clogging or binding of moving parts. The purpose of the testing is to assess, as early as possible, the ability of the instrument, and particularly of the surfaces and protective coatings of the instrument, to resist the effects of a salt atmosphere. Normally, representative samples or complete small units are used for testing. Complete large instruments or assemblies are only tested as specified in this part of ISO 9022 in exceptional cases.

ISO 9022-22:2012 specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments, including additional assemblies from other fields (e.g. mechanical, chemical and electronic devices) under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist combined bump or random vibration, in cold, dry heat or temperature change.

ISO 9022-7:2005 specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist drip or rain. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by drip or rain. Contamination of drip or rain water due to impurities in the air shall be ignored for the purposes of ISO 9022-7:2005.

ISO 10109-1:2005 is applicable to optical instruments and instruments with optical components. It specifies the requirements to be met with regard to the reliability of the optical, mechanical, chemical and electrical properties or performance characteristics of the instruments when exposed to environmental influences. Hence it also determines geographical and technical areas of application. Environmental test methods, as specified in ISO 9022 (all parts), are assigned to the various areas of application for the purpose of ascertaining the suitability of the instruments in the respective area of application. ISO 10109-1:2005 does not deal with the requirements to be met by the packaging of the instruments during transport from the manufacturer to the user.

ISO 10109-6:2005 is applicable to optical instruments and instruments with optical components in the field of medicine. It specifies requirements to be met with regard to the resistance of the optical, mechanical, chemical and electrical properties or performance data of instruments to environmental influences and hence determines geographical and technical areas of application. Environmental test methods as specified in ISO 9022 (all parts) are assigned to the various areas of application for the purpose of ascertaining the suitability of the instruments in their respective area of application. ISO 10109-6:2005 is the basis for the specification of environmental requirements and environmental tests in instrument standards. If necessary, these requirements and tests can be amended in the instrument standards. ISO 10109-6:2005 does not deal with the requirements to be met by the packaging of the instrument during transport from the manufacturer to the user.

ISO 10109-8:2005 is applicable to optical instruments and instruments with optical assemblies in extreme conditions of use. It specifies requirements to be met with regard to the resistance of the optical, mechanical, chemical and electrical properties or performance data of instruments to environmental influences and hence determines geographical and technical areas of application. Environmental test methods as specified in ISO 9022 (all parts) are assigned to the various areas of application for the purpose of ascertaining the suitability of the instruments in their respective area of application. ISO 10109-8:2005 is the basis for the specification of environmental requirements and environmental tests in instrument standards. If necessary, these requirements and tests can be amended in the instrument standards. ISO 10109-8:2005 does not deal with the requirements to be met by the packaging of the instrument during transport from the manufacturer to the user.

ISO 10109-12:2004 details the general conditions of transport that are not under the control of the manufacturer, from manufacturers to customers for optical instruments and instruments with optical components. It deals with the requirements to be met by commercial packaging of instruments during transport from manufacturers to customers in order that the optical, mechanical, chemical and electrical properties or the performance be unaffected. Transport from the manufacturer to the customer, as defined by ISO 10109-12:2004, comprises all steps and procedures the instrument may be subject to during transport from the moment it leaves the place of manufacture until it reaches its final destination (end user), including transport by parcel services, road, rail, sea or air etc. (all of which are beyond the control of the manufacturer) and including all intermediate steps such as e.g. loading, unloading, packing or unpacking. It does not apply to the transport of instruments while they are in use by customers.

This part of ISO 9022 specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components, under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist salt mist. Exposure to salt mist mainly results in the corrosion of metals; effects may also occur by way of clogging or binding of moving parts. The purpose of testing is to assess as early as possible the ability of the instrument, and particularly of the surfaces and protective coatings of the instrument, to resist the effects of a salt atmosphere. Normally, representative samples or complete small units are used for testing. Complete large instruments or assemblies are only tested as specified in this part of ISO 9022 in exceptional cases.

This part of ISO 9022 specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components, under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist temperature and air humidity. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical performance characteristics of the specimen are affected by temperature and/or humidity.

Specifies the types of testing required to establish the suitability of an instrument for its particular intended conditions of use. Applies to optical instruments and instruments with optical components. Specifies the requirements to be met with regard to the reliability of the optical, mechanical, chemical and electrical properties or performance characteristics of the instruments when exposed to environmental influences. Also determines geographical and technical aeras of application. Does not deal with the requirements to be met by the packacking of the instruments during transport from the manufacturer to the user.

Applies to optical instruments and instruments with optical components in the field of medicine. Specifies requirements to be met with regard to the resistance of the optical, mechanical, chemical and electrical properties or performance data of the instruments influences and hence stipulates geographical and technical areas of application. Forms the basis for the specification of environmental requirements and environmental tests in instrument standards. Does not deal with the requirements to be met by the packaging of the instrument during transport from the manufacturer to the user.

Applies to optical instruments and instruments with optical assemblies in extreme conditions of use. Specifies requirements to be met with regard to the resistance of the optical, mechanical, chemical and electrical properties or performance data of the instruments influences and hence stipulates geographical and technical areas of application. Forms the basis for the specification of environmental requirements and environmental tests in instrument standards. Does not deal with the requirements to be met by the packaging of the instrument during transport from the manufacturer to the user.

Specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components, under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the influence of blowing dust. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical performance characteristics are affected by blowing dust, especially with a view to malfunctions of moving parts. The test is not intended to determine the wear resistance to coarse dust.

Specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist high pressure, low pressure or immersion. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical performance characteristics are affected by high pressure, low pressure or immersion.

Specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components, under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist contamination, i.e. contact with corrosive chemical substances. The purpose of testing is to investigate the resistance of an instrument and, in particular, of instrument surfaces, coatings or synthetic materials, to a short exposure to the contamination. The tests described are designed for the selection of materials and components for the instruments. Complete instruments or assemblies are only tested in exceptional cases.

Specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components, under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist the effects of simulated solar radiation. Is applicable to instruments that may be exposed to sunlight during operation or unsheltered storage on the earth's surface, or in the lower atmosphere. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical performance characteristics are affected by solar radiation.

Specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components, under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist dew, hoarfrost or ice. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, thermal, mechanical and electrical performance characteristics are affected by dew, hoarfrost or ice.

Specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components, under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist drip or rain. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical performance characteristics are affected by drip or rain. Contamination of drip or rain water due to impurities in the air shall be ignored for the purposes of this part.

Specifies methods for the testing of optical instruments and instruments containing optical components, under equivalent conditions, for their ability to resist temperature and air humidity. The purpose of testing is to investigate to what extent the optical, thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical performance characteristics are affected by temperature and/or humidity.