The test programme

The following account of how the newly developed headlamps were evaluated is taken from The development of a dough moulding compound for headlamp reflectors , in the Lucas publication Plastics Headlamps . 

In addition to seasonal extremes, the lamps were also exposed to other service hazards such as the rigours of car washing establishments. In parallel with this activity hundreds of similar lamps were subjected to extensive and vigorous laboratory testing. These individual tests compiled with recognised SAE, BSI and DIN standards for vibration, corrosion, salt spray, humidity, water and dust ingress. 

All the lamps passed these exacting tests and provided the qualitative and quantitative evidence necessary to launch the product into mass production. 

An existing rectangular headlamp was selected which could 

The proving programme lasted over 2 years and throughout this period road tests and laboratory tests were conducted simultaneously. A large fleet of cars and trucks were fitted with these lamps to be used as normal driving lamps. Some of these vehicles operated in the extremes of cold near the Arctic Circle, some journeyed many thousands of miles over the worst roads to be found throughout Europe, whilst others operated in some 

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This long-term thermal performance of a material is tested alongside a second, control, material which already has an established RTI and which exhibits a good performance. Such a control is necessary because thermal degradation characteristics are sensitive to variables in the testing programme. Since the control material will also be affected by the same unique combination of these factors during the tests, there is a valid basis for comparison of test and control materials. 

Thus, both the proper conduct of the testing programme and the valid use of the data depend on an understanding of the nature of organic coatings and of the forces through which they are degraded. 

Critical parts of the test programme are the preparation of test specimens, the selection of the exposure conditions (both in laboratory and field tests) and the selection of significant coating properties to be evaluated as a measure of deterioration with time. 

Although the testing programme is largely prescriptive, there is some degree of latitude, for example studies on a specific substance depend on the chemical structure and physical form and some may be technically impossible or scientifically unnecessary. It may also be possible to predict the results for certain properties by read across to an analogue tested substance of closely similar chemical structure. 

A minimum storage time is advisable between moulding and measurement to reduce the effects of physical ageing. Test pieces should, so far as is feasible within the limitations of the test programme, be identical in their source and conditioning. Where this is not possible, then pieces from different sources should be identified but then distributed proportionally, not randomly, among the exposed and control samples. 

When the test programme spans long times, the situation is more akin to reproducibility conditions than to repeatability, even although the measurements are made in the same laboratory. The increase in uncertainty can be illustrated by comparing the repeatability and reproducibility figures given in precision statements. 

Minimum conveying air velocity was also determined during the test programme. It was found that this velocity is influenced by system pressure, with its value decreasing from 10.5 m/s at atmospheric pressure to 6m/s at a pressure of 20 bar gauge. This effect was expected due to a significant increase of gas density at higher pressures. 

The requirements of this part for biological medicinal products may have to be adapted for individual products the testing programme shall be justified by the applicant. 

The bio-oil used for the test programme was produced by BTG in Enschede (NL) with the Rotating Cone Technology from poplar as the bio-mass material. As alternative raw materials for pyrolysis wheat straw, Spanish thistle and other wood wastes have been investigated. The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate the power generation from bio-oil in a gas turbine, the optimisation of the combustion behaviour with respect to emissions and operation characteristics and the comparison of emission and operation data from bio-oil and conventional diesel fuel. For technical reasons the gas turbine had to be adapted to the operation in dual fuel mode with the possibility to switch between diesel and bio-oil. 

Two lead levels were used during the test programme. 

Chemical manufacturers often supply their products in many markets, and consequently various national chemical control systems have to be complied with. It is prudent to obtain advice on these requirements early in the develc ment stage, to enable infixmed business decisions to be made and to ensure full regulatory compliance. For a new chemical substance, notifications in different countries may be necessary, and it is essential to design the testing programme to fulfil all the various requirements to ensure timely regulatory approvals, and also to minimise the total cost of the studies and the use of animals. 

The compositions of the alloys investigated are listed in Table 3. The aluminium concentration was varied between 6 and 17 wt%, the chromium concentration between 2 and 10 wt%. All alloys contained 0.1 wt% hafnium to improve the scale adherence. Alloys 2, 5 and 6 additionally contained 0.13 to 0.18 wt% mischmetal (which is mainly consisting of cerium and lanthanum). The carbon concentration was normally between 300-500 ppm extra carbon was added to alloys 2,3,4,5 and 6 to increase the mechanical strength. The concentrations of sulphur and phosphorus were below 40 ppm in all alloys investigated. Alloy 800H (1.4958) was included in the test programme for comparison purposes its composition is listed in Table 3, too. 

Products are used at different temperatures, and each has a unique stress distribution. Consequently, design requires creep data under a wide variety of conditions. However the test programme to generate such data is excessively long. For most plastics there will be tensile creep data, for times up to... 

The test programme comprises two phases nonnuclear (before fuel loading) and nuclear. The tests are often termed pre-operational and nuclear , respectively. 

It is unlikely that the situation will arise in which a new resin and a new fibre are being used in a new manufacturing process or technique. Thus generally there will be prior knowledge of some aspects of the laminate, and this will aid in developing the test programme. This will also aid in the interpretation of the results, which should thus be applicable to a wider range of parameters than those actually considered in the tests. 

The behaviour of a component will depend not only on the materials from which it is made, but also on the variability of the manufacturing process. Thus it is not possible to define exactly how many test results are required in all situations. Three tests under a given loading should be taken as the minimum. The more variable the results obtained the more tests will be required. Statistical methods may then be used to determine the required property of the component to the required level of accuracy. The minimum number of tests to be carried out should be agreed in the test programme. 

The report discusses tests on a practical structural element for a bridge enclosure. The analytical approach uses the concepts developed in the EUROCOMP Design Code and EUROCOMP Elandbook. Results of the test programme indicate that provided care is taken in the experimental approach the design methods proposed give realistic... 

The test programme was necessary because of lack of a reliable joint data. For example, there are very limited data on the behaviour of laminated joints. Also, adhesive manufacturers are generally not able to provide those adhesive mechanical properties required in the design process. 

The most widely used surface treatments were included in the test programme to find the minimum surface treatment requirements for a proper and durable joint. 

The test programme was divided into two parts testing of material properties and verification testing of the design assumptions and procedures. Material property tests were conducted to measure ... 

Two epoxy adhesives and one polyurethane adhesive were included in the test programme, namely ... 

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