MIL offers one of the broadest suites of coating performance tests in the industry, including adhesion, corrosion, hardness, seal integrity, conductivity, surface roughness, coating weight, coating thickness, and environmental durability testing.
The appropriate test depends on the coating and specification:

• Anodize: dye spot, seal integrity, thickness, corrosion resistance
• Chem film: electrical resistance, corrosion resistance, adhesion
• Cadmium plating: thickness, salt fog, adhesion
• Black oxide: oxalic acid spot test, corrosion verification
• Phosphate: weight, adhesion, corrosion resistance
  Our engineering team can review your specification and determine the exact test or combination of tests required.

Yes. All testing is performed in accordance with the relevant MIL-SPEC, AMS, ASTM, or prime contractor requirements.
MIL maintains Nadcap accreditation, prime approvals, ISO certification, and strict process controls across all laboratory testing functions.
Every test is executed using calibrated equipment, validated procedures, and traceable documentation to ensure aerospace- and defense-level compliance.

Many tests—such as adhesion, coating weight, oxide integrity, and Taber abrasion—are inherently destructive and must be performed on test panels or sacrificial parts.
When destructive testing is required, MIL:

• Works with customers to supply representative panels or sample parts
• Performs destructive evaluation only on designated items
• Ensures the production lot is unaffected
  Non-destructive options (e.g., thickness measurement, gloss, electrical resistance, profilometry) can be performed directly on production components when allowable by specification.

Turnaround times vary by test type:

• Adhesion, hardness, resistance, and roughness tests: typically fast-turn
• Humidity and environmental exposure tests: 24–120 hours depending on spec
• Salt fog testing: duration is spec-driven and often ranges 24–168 hours

MIL can accelerate testing for prototypes or urgent aerospace timelines when possible. Test duration itself cannot be shortened, but scheduling, handling, and reporting can be expedited.

Environmental tests—such as humidity, salt fog, solvent resistance, and corrosion evaluation—simulate real-world conditions the part will experience.
These methods reveal:

• Coating breakdown or premature corrosion
• Seal failures in anodize
• Adhesion loss under moisture
• Wear or abrasion issues
• Surface contamination or improper pre-treatment

MIL’s test results confirm whether the coating will maintain performance, durability, and corrosion resistance under mission-critical environmental conditions.

Yes. MIL regularly tests coatings and finishes on complex geometries and specialty alloys, including titanium, stainless steel, Inconel, aluminum, and hardened steels.
We support:

• Titanium and nickel alloy components
• Precision medical instruments
• Aerospace hardware and flight assemblies
• Power generation components exposed to heat and corrosion
  If a test requires destructive evaluation, we coordinate representative parts or panels to maintain production part integrity.

MIL’s laboratory is fully integrated with our metal finishing, coating, NDT, and marking departments—allowing for seamless quality assurance and rapid feedback loops.
This integration provides several advantages:

• Immediate verification of process effectiveness
• Faster turnaround due to no external lab shipping
• Reduced handling risk
• Direct communication between technicians and finishing specialists
• Full traceability from processing to testing

This unified workflow ensures that every component meets the spec requirements before it leaves the building.