Long-Term Missile Aging Assessment&Reliability Predictions for Polymer Materials and Electronic Parts

Methods have been recently developed by TRI/Austin Inc. that permit accelerated life testing (ALT) exposures at lower temperatures which are more realistic and that reduce the risk of introducing failure mechanisms that are not representative of actual service conditions. The feasibility of using these methods for ALT of missile subsystems will be investigated by the research team assembled, which includes a major missile propulsion defense contractor. The techniques to be used in the Phase I effort will include the use of thermal and non-thermal accelerated environments for aging missile components and materials. In addition, new approaches for quantifying levels of remaining life in materials after aging in multi-stress environments will be evaluated. Unique data analysis procedures and mathematical models will be utilized to extrapolate the life data obtained under accelerated conditions to reliability performance for the materials under dormant storage conditions. While this Phase I feasibility study specifically targets one type of missile component, the test and analysis protocol will be versatile enough to deal with other missile subsystems. These technical objectives will support the goals of the Stockpile Reliability Program that relate to identification of trends in missile reliability.