Hi Robert:
                   Do a search to find out the temp in the direct sun in Phoenix Arizona. That will give you  the temp in a car trunk  In a trunk the highest temp would be under 60 deg C. The thermal chamber test is not indicative of reality. That is why in 20 years you have not had any problems. . The SQA group wants to cover their behinds in case something happens to a board while is being transported. I would also contact the ABS plastic box manufacturer.  They probably have made tests that could provide the right info.
        Regards,
        Ramon

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Croslin, Robert [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 3:08 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      [TN] ABS Plastic Melting Temperature
>
> This is probably a little out of the normal range of questions taken by the
> Technetters, but here goes.  We've been using various boxes made of ABS
> plastic with fire retardant to enclose our various electronic gadgets.  In
> twenty years, we've never had a problem with any of them cycling back from
> the field with any kind of thermal related distortion or warp to the cases
> even though they may sit in a rep's trunk in areas like Phoenix, Arizona
> under elevated temperatures.  Recently, our SQA group bought a new thermal
> chamber so they can do some environmental testing.  They cooked the units at
> 80*C and the plastic melted.  Not surprising, since the softening point is
> around 72*C.  Now, they're asking the engineer to provide some kind of a
> test specification for them to test to.
>
> We've gone out and bought several specs used by the auto industry, but they
> just list various ranges and guide you to developing your own spec.  Does
> anyone know of any spec anywhere that would cover plastics used in, or left
> in the trunk or interior of an automobile?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Bob
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e
> To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
> the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
> To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
> To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
> Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
> Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315
> -----------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315
-----------------------------------------------------