Verification / from prototype through production
Aerospace Testing & Qualification
In-house qualification, validation and acceptance testing to help move pressure-vessel programs from prototype to flight- or field-ready hardware.
- Qualification planning
- Repeatable test evidence
- Production acceptance
Verification Through Testing
Mission-critical pressure vessels must demonstrate performance through repeatable test evidence. Steelhead supports aerospace and defense programs with qualification planning, test execution, data collection and production acceptance testing tied to the requirements of the specific program.
- Proof testingPressure-vessel proof testing against the program’s requirements.
- Burst / rupture testingHydrostatic burst and rupture testing for development and qualification.
- Cycle & fatigue testingPressure-cycle and fatigue testing support.
- Leak testingHelium leak and pressure-decay test methods.
- Environmental testingThermal conditioning and environmental testing.
- InspectionDimensional, structural and applicable non-destructive inspection.
- InstrumentationStrain measurement and instrumentation support.
- Materials & processesMaterial and process evaluation with failure-analysis support.
- Production acceptanceTesting tied to the production acceptance requirements.
Program-specific qualification
The Test Plan Follows the Requirement
Steelhead has experience supporting qualification methodologies including S-080, S-081, AIAA approaches and MIL-SPEC / MIL-STD requirements, as applicable to the program. The applicable standard, test plan, acceptance criteria and approval basis must be defined for the specific hardware.
Experience supporting a qualification methodology is not a blanket approval or certification of every vessel or application.
Engineering feedback
Test Evidence From Prototype Through Production
Test results feed directly back into engineering, winding-process refinement, manufacturing controls and production acceptance criteria. Keeping testing connected to development helps the program mature with fewer handoffs.
Burst-Test Demonstration
Observe the Test Article
The approximately 15-second clip shows a vessel in a test enclosure. The vessel ruptures abruptly and the test article moves to the floor. The footage illustrates a destructive test; it does not state the pressure, acceptance criteria or outcome of a qualification program.
Video description and source
Source: Burst 9.21.18.mp4, supplied in Testing and Qualification / Aerospace Testing. The complete visual sequence is retained at the original timing, resized proportionally for web delivery. This silent presentation omits the original audio. English visual-description captions are included.
Aerospace & defense
Aerospace Verification & Test Support
Qualification, verification, compliance, and data collection support for aerospace and defense pressure vessel programs.
Steelhead supports aerospace, space, defense, and aviation programs with pressure vessel verification testing, qualification support, compliance evaluations, structural testing, burst testing, fatigue testing, and engineering data collection. Whether validating a new design or supporting flight hardware certification, our team provides the expertise and test infrastructure needed to meet program requirements.
DOT pressure vessels & cylinders
DOT Recertification & Requalification
Inspection, testing, and recertification services for DOT pressure vessels and cylinders.
Steelhead provides DOT-compliant inspection, requalification, hydrostatic testing, and recertification services for Steelhead and third-party pressure vessels where applicable. Our team supports commercial, industrial, breathing air, transportation, and specialty cylinder fleets with documented compliance and traceable test records.
Start with the requirement
Define the Qualification Path With Steelhead
Bring the configuration, operating environment, test requirements, applicable standards and schedule to the aerospace engineering team.