About Element Detroit Warren 11 Mile Laboratory
Founded in 1903 during the early rise of the automotive industry, Element Detroit Warren 11 Mile has supported innovation and product development for more than a century. What began as a metallurgical lab supporting the Ford Model-T has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive automotive qualification laboratories in the United States.
Located in the Detroit metropolitan area, the Warren 11 Mile facility provides complete full-vehicle, subsystem, and component testing for automotive, transportation, aerospace, defense, commercial, and industrial customers. The laboratory’s capabilities span climatic and environmental simulation, fuels and fluids testing, polymer and composite analysis, materials testing, corrosion, vibration, hydraulic and dynamics testing, and advanced hybrid and electric vehicle battery testing.
Warren 11 Mile performs testing to a broad range of global and OEM-specific specifications including ASTM, SAE, FMVSS, ISO, DIN, JIS, Chrysler, GM, Ford, and military standards. With ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation through A2LA and a century-long legacy of engineering expertise, the laboratory provides reliable, comprehensive qualification programs for manufacturers and suppliers seeking to validate performance, durability, and safety.
Compliance and capabilities at Element Detroit Warren 11 Mile
Approvals, accreditations and documents
Standards We Test At this Location
These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!
Electrical Testing Standards
- ASTM D257 - DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials
- PF.90012 (Sections 6.3.6 and 6.3.7) - Performance Specification for Automotive Electrical Connector Systems
- ISO 16750-2 - Road Vehicles – Environmental Conditions and Testing for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Part 2: Electrical loads (excluding Clause 4.13 Electromagnetic Compatibility)
Battery Testing Standards
- DOE/ID-11069 - Ineel Battery Test Manual for Test: Static Capacity, Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization, Self-Discharge, Cold Cranking, Thermal Performance, Efficiency, Operating Set Point Stability, Cycle Life, Calendar Life, Reference Performance
- DOE/NE-ID-11173 - FreedomCAR Ultracapacitor Test Manual (Excluding Impedance Spectrum Testing)
- SAE J1798- Rating of Electric Vehicle Battery Modules
- SAE J2288 - Life Cycle Testing of Electric Vehicle Battery Modules
- UL 2580 (Sections 30 to 32, 35 to 36, 39) - Outline of Investigation for Batteries for use in Electric Vehicles
- UN ST/SG/AC.10 - Transport of Dangerous Goods Lithium Batteries: T.1 Altitude simulation, T.2 Thermal test, T.3 Vibration, T.4 Shock, T.5 Short Circuit
- UN ECE Addendum 99 - Reg 100 Annex 8F, 8G, 8H and 8I
Wiring, Connectors, and Other Automotive Electrical System
- GMW3191 (Section 4.3) - Connector Test and Validation Specification
- GMW3431 (Sections 4.1.1 to 4.1.3) General Procedures for Testing Switches
- USCAR 2 - Performance Specification for Automotive Electrical Connector Systems
- USCAR 21 - Performance Specification for Cable-to-Terminal Electrical Crimps
Abrasion
- ASTM D4157 - Abrasion Resistance of Textiles, Wyzenbeek
- GMW15487 - Resistance to Abrasion of Organic Coating
- NES M0136 Method 1 - Abrasion Resistance
- SAE J948 - Resistance to Abrasion
Martindale Abrasion
- ASTM D4966 - Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics
- ASTM D4970 - Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester
- GMW3405 - Seam Fatigue for Automobile Textiles
- ISO 12945-2 - Determination of Fabric Propensity to Surface Fuzzing and to Pilling, Modified Martindale Method
- ISO 12947-1 - Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics by the Martindale Method
- ISO 12947-2 - Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics by the Martindale Method – Specimen Breakdown
- ISO 12947-3 - Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics by the Martindale Method – Mass Loss
- ISO 12947-4 - Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics by the Martindale Method –Assessment of Appearance Change
Taber Abrasion
- ASTM C501 - Relative Resistance to Wear of Unglazed Ceramic Tile by the Taber Abraser
- ASTM D3389 - Coated Fabrics Abrasion Resistance (Rotary Platform, Double-Head Abrader)
- ASTM D3884 - Abrasion Resistance of Textiles, Taber
- ASTM D4060 - Taber Abrasion, Organic Coatings
- FLTM BN 108-02 - Abrasion-Taber
- FLTM BN 108-04 - Scuffing
- SAE J1530 - Resistance to Abrasion, Bearding, and Fiber Loss of Carpet, Taber
- SAE J1847 - Taber Abrasion
- SAE J365 - Scuffing Resistance, Taber
Adhesion
- ASTM B571 - Qualitative Adhesion Testing of Metallic Coatings (Except Draw and Push tests)
- ASTM D3359 - Adhesion Tape Test
- ASTM D952 - Bond of Cohesive Strength of Sheet Plastics and Electrical Insulation
- GMW14829 - Tape Adhesion Test for Paint Finishes
- GMW14892 - Adhesion
Brittleness
- Chrysler LP-463LB-11-01 Resistance to Cold Cracking of General Trim Materials
- Chrysler LP-463DD-07-01
Charpy
- ISO 179-1 - Charpy Impact Properties, Non-Instrumented Impact Test
Chemical Resistance
- AATCC TM 104 - Spot Test Water
- AATCC TM 15 - Perspiration
- AATCC TM 6 - Spot Test Acid
- ASTM D1308 - Effect of Household Chemicals on Clear and Pigmented Organic Finishes
- ASTM D4752 - Measuring MEK Resistance of Ethyl Silicate (Inorganic) Zinc-Rich Primers by Solvent Rub
- ASTM D1693 - Environmental Stress Cracking
- ASTM D471 - Rubber Property-Effect of Liquids
- ASTM D543 - Resistance of Plastics to Chemical Reagents
- ASTM D925 Method A Staining of Surfaces (Contact/Migration/Diffusion)
- ASTM F146 - Fluid Resistance of Gasket Materials
- Chrysler LP-463PB-31-01 Resistance to Various Fluids
- Chrysler LP-463PB-57-03 Automotive Fluids Staining of Plastics
- FLTM AN 101-01 - Resistance of Textiles to Bleeding, Perspiration and Water Spotting
- FLTM BI 113-01 - Spot Test Water and Soap
- FLTM BI 113-02 - Spot Test Acid
- FLTM BI 113-05 - Acid Spotting of Painted Test Panels or Actual Finished Parts
- FLTM BI 113-07 - Resistance to Synthetic Perspiration Staining
- FLTM BI 152-01 - Resistance of Paint Films to Solvents
- FLTM BN 103-01 - Resistance of Coated Fabrics and Plastic Film to Migration Staining and Blocking
- FLTM BN 112-08 - Soiling & Cleanability Test for Interior Trim Materials
- GMW14102 - Determination of Water Spotting Test
- GMW14141 - Dye Migration
- GMW14333 - Fuel Resistance of Automotive Exterior Materials and Components
- GMW14334 - Chemical Resistance to Fluids
- GMW14444 - Material Related Interior Part Performance
- GMW14445 - Sunscreen and Insect Repellent Resistance
- GMW14864 - Procedure for Determining the Staining of Trim Materials Due to Sulfur Dioxide, SO2, and Hydrogen Sulfide, H2S
- GMW14701 - Resistance of Coatings to Chemical Etching and Distortion
- GMW16625 - Preparation of Acid Rain Solution
- GMW3402 - Soil and Cleaner Resistance of Automotive Materials
- NES M0133 Method 2 & 3 Chemical Resistance Test Methods
- Nissan 28401NDS01 [10] Section CH/11 - Resistance to Calcium Chloride
Color
- ASTM D1003 - Haze and Luminous Transmittance
- ASTM D2244 - Calculation of Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
- SAE J1545 - Delta-E Value (Color Measurement)
Compression
- ASTM D1056 - Compression Force
- ASTM D1229 - Compression Set at Low Temperatures
- ASTM D1621 - Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics
- ASTM D395 - Rubber Property-Compression Set (Method B)
- ASTM D575 - Rubber Properties in Compression
- ASTM D695 - Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics
- ASTM F36 - Compressibility and Recovery of Gasket Materials
- ISO 3386-2 - Flexible Cellular Polymeric Materials – Determination of Stress-Strain Characteristics in Compression
- ISO 815 - Determination of Compression Set of Thermoplastic/Vulcanized Rubber at Ambient, Elevated, or Low Level Temperatures
Salt Spray
- ASTM B117 - Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
- ASTM G85 - Corrosion Testing
- DIN 50021 (Withdrawn 06/88) Salt Spray (SS only)
- GM4298P (Inactive 12/10) Salt Spray Test
- GMW3286 - Neutral Salt Spray
- ISO 9227 - Corrosion Testing, Salt Spray
- RTCA DO-160 Section 14.0
- Environmental Conditions/Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment: Salt Spray
Crocking
- AATCC TM 8 - Crocking, Dry and Wet
- FLTM BN 107-01 - Crocking, Dry and Wet
- SAE J861 - Crocking
Density
- ASTM D1622 - Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics
- ASTM D3776 - Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric
- ASTM D792 - Density Method A
- GMW3182 - Determination of Mass per Area
- ISO 1183-1 - Determining the Density of Non-Cellular Plastics Using Immersion Method
- ISO 845 - Cellular Plastics and Rubbers – Determination in Apparent Density (Bulk)
Dimensional
- ASTM D1777 - Thickness of Textile Materials
- ASTM D5729 - Standard Test Method for Thickness of Nonwoven Fabrics
- ASTM D7091 - Standard Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to Ferrous Metals and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coatings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
- FLTM BI 117-01 - Coating Thickness
- ISO 5084 - Determination of Thickness of Textiles and Textile Products
- SAE J882 - Thickness of Textile Materials
- SAE J883 - Dimensional Stability of Automotive Textiles
Environmental Exposure
- IEC 60068-2-78 - Test Cab: Damp Heat, Steady State
- ISO 22088-3 - Determination of Resistance to Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC)
- MIL-STD-810C/D/E/F/G (Sections 500-503, 507, 512-514, 516, 520, 524,
- 528 only) - Environmental Test Methods and Engineering Guidelines
- NES M0153 - Moisture Resistance Test Method
- SAE J323
- ISO 4892-3 - Cold Cracking of Flexible Plastic Materials Plastics - Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources
Fabric, Leather, and Other Textiles
- ASTM D1117 - Evaluating Non-woven Fabrics
- ASTM D751 - Coated Fabrics (except Bursting Strength, Hydrostatic Pressure, Adhesion Coating, Strength of Coating, Crack Resistance, and Crush Resistance)
- FLTM BN 106-02 - Seam Fatigue Testing
- GMW3211 - Resistance to Stretch and Set
- ISO 13937-2 - Tear Properties of Fabrics
- SAE J913 - Wicking
- SAE J855 - Stretch and Set Fatigue
- ASTM D6182 - Flexibility and Adhesion of Finish on Leather
Flexural
- ASTM D790 - Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
- ISO 178 - Determination of Flexural Properties
- SAE J949 - Stiffness (Modulus of Bending)
Foams and Flexible Cellular Materials
- ASTM D1667 - Flexible Cellular Materials-Vinyl Chloride Polymers and Copolymers
- ASTM D3574 - Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials (except Test G, I2, I3, I4, I5)
- ASTM D3575 - Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials Made from Olefin (except Sections 34-35, 45-46, 49-50, 66-67)
Fogging
- GMW3235 - Fogging
- SAE J1756 - Fogging Characteristics of Interior Automotive Materials
- Toyota TSM0503G - Fogging Test Method for Non-Metallic Materials
Gloss
- ASTM D523 - Specular Gloss
- FLTM BI 110-01 - Specular Gloss
- JIS Z 8741 - Specular Glossiness Methods of Measurement
Handling Drop/Free Fall
- GMW3172 section 9.3.10 General Specification for Electrical/Electronic Components - Environmental/Durability
- ISO 16750-3 section 4.3 Mechanical Loads
Hardness
- ASTM D2240, Shore A and D Durometer Hardness
- ASTM D3363 Film Hardness by Pencil Test
- ISO 868 Plastic and Ebonite – Determination of Indentation Hardness by Means of a Durometer (Shore Hardness)
Heat
- ASTM D2584 - Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced Resins
- ASTM D3012 - Thermal-Oxidative Stability of Propylene Plastics Using a Specimen Rotator Within an Oven
- ASTM D3769 - Heat Sag
- ASTM D518 - Rubber Deterioration-Surface Cracking
- ASTM D573 - Rubber-Deterioration in an Air Oven
- ISO 188 - Rubber, Vulcanized Thermoplastic-Accelerated Aging and Heat Resistance Test
- ISO 3451-1 - Determination of Ash
- SAE J912 - Blocking Resistance
Hoses and Hard/Soft Lines
- ASTM D380 - Method for Rubber Hose (except Sections 12-13)
- GMW14319 Section 4.3.20 - (pressure cycling) only Air Conditioning Hose and Coupling Assemblies R134a and R1234yf
- GMW14329 (Sections 4.3, 4.5, and 4.6) - Performance Testing of Heater and Coolant Hoses
- GMW15724 (Section 4.3.8 (PDT) only) - Transmission and Engine Oil Cooler Plumbing System
- PF 90080 (Sections 9.3.1 and 9.3.2 only) Coolant Hoses and Plumbing Assemblies
Humidity & Water Resistance
- ASTM D870 - Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Water Immersion
- ASTM D1735 - Standard Practice for Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Water Fog Apparatus
Impact
- ASTM D5420 - Gardner Impact
- GMW16746 - Evaluating Brittleness of Painted Plastics
- SAE J400 - Chip Resistance of Surface Coatings
Izod
- ASTM D1822 - Tensile Impact
- ASTM D256 - Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics
- ASTM D4812 - Unnotched Cantilever Beam Impact Strength of Plastics
- ISO 180 - Plastics – Determination of Izod Impact Strength
Melt Flow
- ASTM D1238 - Melt Index (Flow Rate)
- ISO 1133-1 Plastics – Determination of the Melt Mass-Flow Rate (MFR) and the Melt Volume-Flow Rate (MVR)
Odor
- FLTM BO 131-03 - Interior Odor Test
- GMW3205 - Test Method for Determining the Resistance to Odor Propagation of
Interior Materials
- GMW3259 - Determination of Resistance to Mildew Growth
- SAE J1351 - Hot Odor Test for Insulation Materials
- VDA 270 - Determination of the Odor Characteristics
- VW PV3900 - Odor Test
Ozone
- ASTM D1149 - Rubber Deterioration Surface Ozone Cracking in a Chamber (Method B only)
- 28400NDS2 - Exposure Only Peel
- ASTM D1000 - Unwind Pull (Method B only)
- ASTM D3330 - Peel Adhesion of Pressure Sensitive Tape
- ASTM D903 - Peel or Stripping Strength of Adhesive Bonds
- PSTC 101 - Non-ASTM Peel
Protection against Dust, Sand, Water, or Foreign Object Ingress
- DIN 40050-9 (Withdrawn 1993) - Protection Against Foreign Objects; Water and Contact; Electrical Equipment (IP5KX, IP6KX, IPX1 through IPX4, IPX4K, IPX5, IPX6, IPX6K, IPX7, IPX8, IPX9K only)
- IEC 60068-2-68 - Dust and Sand (except LA1 and LC1)
- IEC 60529 - Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code) (IP5X, IP6X, IPX1 through IPX9 only)
- ISO 20653 - Road Vehicles – Degrees of Protection (IP-Code) – Protection Against Foreign Objects, Water and Access – Electrical Equipment (IP5KX, IP6KX, IPX1 through IPX4, IPX4K, IPX5, IPX6, IPX6K, IPX7, IPX8, IPX9K only)
- JIS D 0203 (R2, S1, S2) Moisture, Rain and Spray Test for Automobile Parts
- JIS D 0207 - Dust Test for Automobile Parts (F-Type Only)
Scratch
- FLTM BN 108-13 - Scratch Test
- GMW14130 - Scuff and Mar Resistance
- GMW14688 - Resistance to Scratching
- GMW14698 Method B - Scratch Resistance of Organic Coatings and Self-Adhesive Foils
- Chrysler LP-463DD-18-01 Scratch and Mar Resistance of Automotive Plastics
Tear
- ASTM D1004 - Initial Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Sheeting
- ASTM D2261 - Tongue Tear
- ASTM D5587 - Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the Trapezoid Procedure
- ASTM D5733 - Tearing Strength of Nonwoven Fabrics by the Trapezoid Procedure
- ASTM D624 - Tear Strength of Conventional Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomer
- GMW3326 - Tearing Strength of Textile Materials by Trapezoid Method
- GMW3387 - Fiber Degradation of Automotive Textiles
- ISO 34-1 - Determination of Tear Strength of Thermoplastic/Vulcanized Rubber Using Trouser, Angle and Crescent Pieces
Tensile
- ASTM D1894 - Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
- ASTM D3163 - Strength of Adhesive Bonded Rigid Lap Shear Joints
- ASTM D412 - Tensile Properties, Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastics Elastomers
- ASTM D5034 - Tensile Strength
- ASTM D5035 - Breaking Strength, Textile Fabrics, Strip Method
- ASTM D638 - Tensile Properties of Plastics (Including Poisson’s Ratio)
- ASTM D882 - Tensile Properties Thin Plastic Sheeting
- ASTM E132 - Poisson’s Ratio
- ASTM F152 - Tension Testing of Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
- ISO 1798 - Flexible Cellular Polymeric Materials- Determination of Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break
- ISO 37 - Determination of Tensile Stress/Strain Properties of Thermoplastic/Vulcanized Rubber
- ISO 527-1 - Tensile Properties Part 1 General Principles
- ISO 527-2 - Tensile Properties Part 2 Test Conditions for Molding and Extrusion Plastic
- ISO 527-3 - Tensile Properties Part 3 Film, Sheets
- ISO 527-4 - Tensile Properties Part 4 Isotropic and Orthotropic Fiber-Reinforced Plastics
- ISO 527-5 - Tensile Properties Part 5 Test Conditions for Unidirectional Fiber Reinforced Plastics
- ISO 8295 - Coefficient of Friction
- SAE J2044 - Quick Connector Specification for Liquid Fuel and Vapor/Emissions Systems
Thermal Cycle
- GMW14124 - Automotive Environmental Cycles
- VW PV1200 - Resistance to Environmental Cycle Test (80 to -40) °C
- Ford CETP 00.00.E-412 - Sections 6.4.5.1-6.4.5.8
- FCA CS.00056
- ISO 16750-4 section 5.4 Sections 5.3.1-5.3.7 - Temperature Shock with Splash Water
Vibration
- IEC 60068-2-27 - Shock
- IEC 60068-2-64 - Vibration, broadband random and guidance
- JIS D 1601
- UN ECE Addendum 99 Vibration Testing Methods for Automobile Parts Reg 100 Annex 8A
Vicat and HDT/DTUL
- ASTM D1525 - Vicat Softening Temperature of Plastic
- ASTM D648 - Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
- ISO 306 - Determination of Vicat Softening Temperature (VST) of Thermoplastic Materials
- ISO 75-1 - Plastics-Determination Temperature of Deflection Under Load Part 1 General Test Method
- ISO 75-2 - Plastics – Determination of Temperature of Deflection Under Load Part 2 Plastics and Ebonite
- ISO 75-3 - Plastics – Determination of Temperature of Deflection Under Load Part 3 High Strength Thermosetting
Ash
- ISO 3451-1 (Method A) Ash Content, General Method
- ISO 3451-2 (Method A) Ash Content, Polyalkylene Tera
- ISO 3451-3 (Method A) Ash Content, Cellulose Acetate
- ISO 3451-4 (Method A) Ash Content, Polymides
- ISO 3451-5 (Method A) Ash Content, PVC
- ASTM D2584 - Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced Resins
- ASTM D5630 (Method B) Ash Content of Thermoplastics
Flammability
- Chrysler MS JP 9-4 Flammability
- FLTM BN 024-02 Automotive Materials, Flammability
- FMVSS 571.302 Flammability of Interior Materials
- GB 8410 Flammability of Automotive Interior Materials
- GMW3232 Flammability
- HES C206 / HES D6003 Flammability
- ISO 3795 Flammability
- MES CF 050 Flammability
- NES M0094 Flammability
- SAE J369 Automotive Materials, Flammability
- Toyota TSM0500G Flammability
- VW TL1010 / DIN 75200 Materials for Vehicle Interiors, Burning Behavior
- Volvo VCS 5031,19 Flammability of Interior Materials
Linear Thermal Expansion
- ASTM D696 Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion of Plastics Between (-30 and 30) °C
Water Absorption
- ASTM D570 Water Absorption of Plastic
- ISO 62 Plastics-Determination of Water Absorption
Components & Materials We Test At this Location
These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!
Automotive Systems & Subsystems
- Full Vehicles
- Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Batteries
- Fuel & Fluid Systems
- HVAC & Thermal Systems
- Electrical & Electronic Systems
Electronics & Electrical Components
- Control Modules
- Wiring Harnesses
- Lighting Systems
- Cameras & Advanced Electronics
Interior & Exterior Components
- Door Panels
- Headliners
- Automotive Fabrics
- Plastic Trim (Interior & Exterior)
Mechanical & Hydraulic Components
- Hose & Tube Assemblies
- Structural / Vibration / Dynamics Hardware
- Hydraulic Components
Materials & Composites
- Polymers
- Composite Molded Parts
- Metals
- General Materials Testing
Corrosion & Environmental Durability Items
- Coated Metals
- Painted Surfaces
- Elastomers & Rubber Materials
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