MIL-DTL-43607J
4.5.1.12 Key hardness test. All component parts of the key shall have a hardness not less than
75 HRB in accordance with ASTM E 18 Scale B (see 3.6.3.5). If superficial hardness testing is
used the superficial scale shall be equivalent to 75 HRB.
4.5.1.13 Key strength test. The manufacturer shall furnish 24 milled to shape but otherwise uncut
key blanks and the depth code for each of the key cuts used by the lock. This test will establish the
limit in depth of a key cut. The test facility will cut a key to the deepest bitting specified by the
manufacturer in the bit location closest to the key bow. The bow key ring hole will be enlarged if
necessary, and a 19-inch (483 mm) length of 0.25-inch (6.35 mm) diameter, all thread rod inserted.
Affix two appropriate sized nuts and washers to the rod so the key is solidly fixed at the midpoint of
the rod. Clamp the key horizontally in a vise, but not past the deepest bit cut. Mark the position at the
end of the rod on a fixed, immovable surface. Apply a torque force of not less than 9 lbf-in (1 Nm) to
the end of the rod for not less than 30 seconds. Release the torque load and mark the position of the
end of the rod. A difference of more than 0.125-inch (3.18 mm), shall constitute a failure of this test.
Should a key fail, another key, cut to the next shallower key cut will be tested. The test will be
repeated twice after a successful test to ensure a total of three successes. The key cut depth
determined capable of passing this test for the particular keyway design used, is the deepest cut the
manufacturer is to be allowed to use. If this depth differs from that which the manufacturer intended
to use (see 3.4.1), the relative 100,000 unique key changes may be affected.
4.5.1.14 Operating key function test. Operate a padlock with its operating key through
10,000 cycles of the steps specified in 4.5.1.2. The cyclic procedure shall be modified so that each
time the padlock is unlocked, an attempt to withdraw the key from the padlock and to rotate the
cylinder plug to the control position, shall not be affected. Failure of the padlock to unlock, release of
the operating key when the padlock is open, rotation of the cylinder plug to the control position, or
failure of the padlock to lock shall constitute failure of this test. If the keyway cover or plate does not
remain aligned with the keyway or obstructs the insertion of the operating key into the keyway, it
shall also constitute failure of this test. The test shall be performed before and after 4.5.1.9 (see
3.6.3.11 and 3.6.4.1).
4.5.1.15 Control key function test. Use the control key to turn the cylinder plug to the unlocked
position and then to the control position. If the control key does not turn the cylinder plug to both
unlock and control positions, or cannot be used to remove and reinsert the cylinder assembly, it shall
constitute failure of this test (see 3.6.3.2 and 3.6.3.12).
4.5.1.16 Cylinder interchangeability test. Remove the cylinder assembly from one padlock. Use the
control keys of other padlocks from the same lot sample to remove their cylinder assemblies and to
insert them into the padlock from which the cylinder has been removed. Then operate the padlock
through not less than 5 cycles of the steps specified in 4.5.1.2, using the operating key which matches
that of the cylinder. If the padlock fails to lock and unlock using each of the replacement cylinder
assemblies and their associated keys, it shall constitute failure of this test (see 3.6.3.3).
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