Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com / MIL-STD-810D 19 July 1983 a. Since microbial deterioration is a function Of tem - perature and humidity and ia an inseparable condition of hot-humid tropics and the midlatitudes, it must be considered in the design of all standard, general- purpose materiel (reference a). This method is used when an item is to be tested to determine if fungal growth will occur and, if so, how it will affect the use of the test item. b. Res rlcw t.. . This test is desfgned to economically obtain data on the susceptibility of materiel.
It should not be used for testing of pa,sic materials since various other test procedures, including soil burial, pure culture, mixed culture, and plate testing, are available. c. SQQL@UX. (See General Requirements, U.4.4.) This method should not be conducted after a salt fog test (method 509.2) or a sand and dust test ‘ (method 510.2). A heavy concentration of salt may affect the germinating fungal growth, and sand and dust can provide nutrients, thus leading to a false indication of the biosusoeptibility of the teat item. . d. leiiitvar~. . . In addition to an optional operational teSt at the, end of the fungus test, test variables include duration of test and test item configuration.
1-3.1 Xest ob.iectiv~. The primary objectives of the fungus test are to determine: a. If fungi will grow on the test item (see II-3.1.2a for the types of fungi). b. How rapidly fungi will grow on the test item. c. How any fungal growth affects the test item. d. To what extent the fungi will affect the mission of the test item. e. If the test item can be stored effectively in a field environment. f. If the test item is safe for use following fungal growth, e. If there are simple reversal processes, e.g., wiping off fungal‘ growth. ,9 I-3.2 Choice of related test c~.
Once a determination has been made as to whether or not an operational requirement exists, the next decision must concern test duration and test item configuration. a. Test duratio~. Twenty-eight days is the minimum test period to allow for fungal germination, breakdown of carbon molecules, and degradation of material. Since indirect effects and physical interference are not likely to occur in the relatively short time frame of the fungus test, extension of the exposure period to 84 days should be o certainty-(less risk) is-required in fungal growth. considered if a greatar degree of determining the existence or effect of METHOD 508.3 508.3-3 19 July 1983