The Navy has identified deficiencies in qualification testing, including accelerated aging, that require improvement to prevent unreliable materials and equipment from being approved for use in the Fleet on submarines, surface ships, towed and static emplacement hydrophone arrays and minehunting systems. Specific deficiencies in accelerated life testing (ALT) have been identified with the misapplication of (or assumed) activation energies and inadequate control of laboratory test plans applications and control of dissolved oxygen, unrealistic corrosion by-products, temperature, and impressed cathodic potentials.
We worked toward the development of an Improved Navy ALT Method that will provide protocols for defining activation energies on empirical measurements and will specify acceptable methods for controlling laboratory ALT exposures. Advancements in cathodic delamination prevention are also needed and will be developed and commercialized.
